'Inadequate’ Stafford home care service put in special measures
A service that provides home care for almost 70 people has been placed in special measures after a damning report.
Cannock-based Rapid Response Home Care supports people living in their own homes in Stafford and the surrounding areas, as well as Telford and the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Visiting inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found the service was not safe, effective, caring, responsive or well led, according to a report published this week.
Staffing levels were also criticised and the home was rated as ‘inadequate’ overall.
The report said: “There were insufficient staff available to ensure people received timely support.
“People told us their calls were often late or rushed and staff did not have sufficient time to get between calls.
“Staff did not always feel they were listened to and were concerned that staff morale was low due to high staff turnover.
“(They) did not always receive effective training and support to fulfil their role.
“People had good relationships with the staff that supported them on a regular basis. However, the lack of available staff meant that people did not always know who would be visiting them and they did not always feel respected by these staff.”
The CQC visited Rapid Response Home Care on July 31 and August 1 last year.
Inspectors also visited three people who used the service and their relatives – phoning 11 others and speaking with the provider, training manager and five care staff.
According to the report, the privacy and dignity of service users was promoted and staff encouraged them to be as independent as they wished.
People managed their own healthcare needs but staff supported them to access other health professionals, while where needed, users of the service were supported to have enough to eat and drink.
"But while concerns and complaints were sometimes not acted on by staff, the report added.
No-one from Rapid Response Home Care was available for comment.
