The Care Quality Commission
  • Services in your home
  • Homecare service

Archived: Pulse - Plymouth

1st Floor Fox House, 8-10 Whimple Street, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2DH (01752) 229195

Provided and run by:
Pulse Healthcare Limited

All Inspections

10, 11, 16 October 2013

During a routine inspection

Pulse care agency in Plymouth provided personal care services to 10 people with complex care needs and employed 50 care workers. We looked at the care records for three people. We visited two of these three people in their own home and spoke with them or their relative about the care and support they received from the agency staff. We spoke with four care workers, the agency's office staff, and the registered manager.

People who used this service and their relatives told us the care staff were "a good team" and, "a very good team in the office". One person told us they liked the variety of staff ages because it provided a mix of outlooks and ideas.

People told us and we observed they were involved in their care, and their privacy, dignity and independence were respected.

We found care workers referred to people's care plans. They contacted health and social care services when this was needed. Care plans and records were regularly reviewed and updated. This meant people received care and support that met their needs.

People told us care workers were competent. The care workers told us they received training and supervision which enabled them to provide appropriate care to people using this service. This meant people received effective, safe and person centred care that met their needs.

We found people benefited from safe, quality care and support because there were effective systems in place to monitor and manage risks to people's health, welfare and safety.

26 February 2013

During a routine inspection

We used a number of different methods such as reviewing records, we talked to staff, the manager and we talked with a persons family to help us understand the experiences of people using the service. This helped us to review the care and support as people who used the service had limited communication and lived in the community so we were unable to speak with them directly.

People's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care. Records and discussions with a persons family showed us that staff supported people to make their own choices. One persons family that we spoke to told us "My son's choices are out of this world, I walked in the other day to see him planning his food menu for the week, it was great to see".

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. We spoke with staff and staff demonstrated an understanding of the safeguarding procedures and the different forms of abuse.

Staff received appropriate professional development. We looked at five staff records. All staff had received mandatory training and clinical intervention training to meet the specific needs of people.

One persons family told us "Staff can sense what my son wants, they know his needs really well".