Southport home care agency put into special measures

The agency rating has gone from good to inadequate

A care agency has been put into special measures after an inspection found "significant" failures which put vulnerable patients at risk.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found numerous issues of concern at Assured Care Southport, an agency that looks after people in their homes.

It was given a rating of inadequate after October and November inspections.

Since then, the agency said it had taken "significant" steps to implement new policies and procedures.

It was rated good the last time it was inspected in 2018.

The CQC's latest report identified "widespread and significant shortfalls in people's care, support and outcomes".

Its assessment cited multiple areas in which service users were put at "increased risk" and detailed failures in safeguarding that exposed vulnerable people to "unnecessary risk and avoidable harm".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service writes that although the CQC report showed people were "treated with kindness" and were "well treated" by staff, the care agency's "widespread" failures were of concern.

Some staff members were not subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to delivering care on a one to one basis in people's homes, the report added.

DBS checks provide background information on prospective employees, including details about convictions on the Police National Computer.

This oversight "increased the risk of unsuitable staff caring for people", the CQC said.

The watchdog added it was "not assured staff had the necessary skills and knowledge to protect people from the risk of abuse".

A lack of suitable training was also identified with one employee telling inspectors that "staff don't know what safeguarding is".

'Failed to learn lessons'

Additionally, the report said staff had neither the "skills or knowledge" to meet the needs of vulnerable people, meaning they were at "increased risk of harm".

There was a "significant" and "increased risk" of errors relating to the administration of medicines because of "poorly completed medical records", inspectors found.

And the agency failed to ensure staff had the skills to support people if their health deteriorated - neglecting the necessary training in end-of-life care.

The CQC said Assured Care Southport was "performing badly" and "failed to learn lessons" after "serious concerns" were raised.

The inspection report said: "If the provider has not made enough improvement we will begin the process of preventing the provider from operating this service."

Paul Humphreys, director at Assured Care Southport, said: "Since this inspection, we have taken significant steps to implement new policies and procedures within the service and have sought expert independent advice."