Drugs not managed safely by Bridgnorth home care agency - report
Medicines were not managed safely by a Bridgnorth-based care agency that looks after vulnerable residents in their own homes, inspectors found.
Despite attracting a “good” rating for its caring staff, the agency, JK Caring for You, got an overall “requires improvement” rating by the Care Quality Commission.
The agency, which provides personal care to about 79 people living in their own homes, said today it was taking steps to address the issues and it was disappointed by the findings of the latest inspection.
The report said: “At our last inspection we had rated the service provided as good. Following this inspection we have changed this rating to requires improvement. People’s medicines were not managed safely.
“There was a lack of clear guidance for staff to follow with regards to what medicines people were prescribed and the support they needed.
“Records were not always completed fully or accurately. Although the provider had systems in place to monitor the provision of the service, these had not ensured the quality and safety of care provided was consistently meeting people’s needs.
“People were not supported to receive timely care and staff were often late for people’s care calls, which impacted on them and their families.”
It further stated: “When people raised complaints these were addressed and resolved. However, people did not feel the service was always responsive in addressing any verbal concerns they raised.
“However, where staff had built relationships with people they had got to know their preferences and wishes which helped them to provide person centred care.”
JK Caring for You owner and provider Kate Moore said: “As a company which is devoted to delivering the very best care at all times, we were disappointed to receive our recent report and ratings from CQC.
“We were however thrilled to receive the positive comments and the rating of “good” for caring within our report. Our areas for improvement, we identified prior to and following the report, and we have an action plan in place to achieve the improvements over the coming weeks.
"We have a robust quality assurance programme and receive regular feedback from our service users and team and we action any themes noted as part of our systems for improvement.”
