Failing care firm told that it must improve

AFIRM which provides care visits to elderly and dementia-suffering residents has been ordered to improve.

Care Connect, which has clients in Macclesfield, failed three of the five key areas including safety, care and management after an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

The Government watchdog however did rate the remaining area - effectiveness responsiveness ‘good’.

One of the main issues raised in the report was when the service sent unfamiliar staff to perform care.

It said: “People told us that they felt safe with regular care staff but ‘felt anxious’ with new staff as ‘they did not appear to know what they were doing’. Others told us ‘ The only problem is I can’t always have the care workers who I trust and feel safe with’.”

Inspectors said other service - and as that users raised concerns about the levels of hygiene adopted by some staff.

The report said: “They said ‘I have to prompt staff to wear gloves and to change them between tasks’. Others told us that ‘they don’t always wash their hands and don’t always wear aprons which are important when dealing with personal care’.”

There were also ‘reliability’ issues with staff not attending on time and offering an explanation.

Some service users complained to the CQC that they felt rushed during their support.

The report said: “Another person’s perception was that some care staff wished to get everything done ‘as quickly as possible’ and that some staff support was task orientated.”

There were also issues of service users not being clear about who was managing the agency.

Cheshire East Council contracts the care service to carry out home visits.

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: “Cheshire East Council is commissioning services from the provider and that provider is actively engaged with the council to address the areas of concern identified in the CQC report.

“Cheshire East Council is committed to delivering high-quality services that provide real value for money for local residents.”

Care Connect is owned by Infinite Care and is based out of Gadbrook Park in Rudheath.

It has been approached for comment.