A new inspection has revealed a string of issues at Jade Healthcare Services
The service provider is based at the Shipstones Business Centre in New Basford, pictured(Image: Google)
A watchdog has found two breaches of legal regulations at a Nottingham service which cares for vulnerable people.
Inspectors say that standards must improve at Jade Healthcare Services, which provides support to the elderly, people living with dementia and those with disabilities.
The business, whose offices are in the Shipstones Business Centre in New Basford, was given a warning notice on January 8 for failing to meet the regulations related to safe care and treatment and good governance.
A report published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), published on Monday (February 23) revealed a string of issues that could put its 17 users at risk.
The first regulation breach identified by the CQC, which was assessing the service for the first time, was in relation to safe care and treatment.
The report stated that “some aspects of the service were not always safe and there was limited assurance about safety.”
It added: “There was an increased risk that people could be harmed.”
The watchdog explained that actions taken were not always completed or fully documented, and when incidents happened, follow-up actions did not show how future risks would be mitigated.
The provider also failed to ensure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities, and preferences.
Care plans for service users which staff are required to follow did not include details on medicines, including what they were for, when they should be taken or possible side effects.
However, service users did tell the watchdog they had confidence in staff who supported them with medicines.
Inspectors also found the service “did not always concentrate” on how users would remain protected from abuse, neglect and harm, with concerns sometimes not shared “quickly and appropriately”.
The report read: “For example, we found a person to have skin damage, however there was no specific care plan for managing the skin, or what staff should look out for.
“Daily records did not include details of where care should monitor the skin damage. Due to the lack of recorded information, we were not assured this had been reviewed and analysed or reported to the local safeguarding team.”
The report also states that processes were not always in place to ensure risks to service users were monitored and managed safely.
A warning notice has been issued about Jade Healthcare Services (Image: Stock image)
“For example, we found people who lived with diabetes did not have related care plans in place,” the report reads.
“There was no evidence or documentation from relevant healthcare professionals with detail on who to manage the condition, or who to contact if there were any concerns.
“The lack of specific risk assessments meant staff had no guidance to ensure they could support people safely. This placed people at risk of harm.”
The watchdog said whilst staff understood their responsibility maintain a safe environment for service users, the provider failed to carry out regular risk assessments of the homes and equipment used.
The report reads: “For example, moving and handling equipment had not been regularly checked to ensure the home environment and the equipment used during the delivery of personal care was safe and fit for purpose.
“Care plans also stated that staff should check mattresses were in good condition and at the right setting, however there was no evidence that this was being carried out.
“This meant people were at risk of harm due to the possible use of faulty equipment.”
The CQC also found the service did not always make sure there were enough qualified and experienced staff who received support and supervision.
However, staff told inspectors they felt they had the right level of training to carry out their role safely, and that they received ongoing support and supervision.
One staff member said: “I did induction, firstly getting to the office, signing documents that required my signature completing my office file.
“Familiarising and reading policies. In the field I then did shadowing with senior members. The experience was very good and informative.”
Nottinghamshire Live has approached Jade Healthcare Services for comment.
