Inspectors give home support team top marks
Home support workers in Wishaw and Shotts have been given the thumbs up after a report from the Care Inspectorate.
The recent inspection made at the end of last year found the council’s home support service within the two towns was performing well with staff and management given a high mark from inspectors.
However, the report also stated some areas which have to be improved in the long term.
Morag Dendy, Head of Performance Planning and Quality Assurance, with Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire believes the report’s findings can reassure locals they are receiving an excellent quality of care from the staff.
She said: “We welcome the positive feedback within this report from the Care Inspectorate and any opportunity to reflect on how we can improve our services.
“Providing strong home support services is vital to allowing our service users to live independently within their own homes.
“We will review all the report findings and recommendations in detail and ensure we continue to provide quality care services for our residents.”
The inspectors visited a number of people at their homes and shadowed workers on their daily routine.
They also received a number of completed questionnaires from service users, carers and family members who filled out the short survey
The report states: “The majority of people spoke very highly of the support they received from the support workers and felt they they were treated with respect in their own homes.
“The main concern is the lack of communication to service users, to advise who is coming and indeed communication when times and carers are changed.
“Consistency of care is an essential element in the standard of care experienced and resulting outcomes.”
The report found that the service’s quality of care was described as adequate.
This mark - two below the highest ranking of very good - was the lowest given by the inspectors.
The staffing was given a good rating with the team’s management and leadership was also rated good - one below the highest mark.
Inspectors said: “We shadowed a sample of support workers in different areas and care plans in every home with good information enabling workers to offer support in a manner that promotes the indivduals independence.
“We observed support being offered to service users in a very caring and compassionate manner.
“Staff are motivated to deliver a quality service that seeks to uphold individuals human rights.
“The overall service operates to a good standard due to the motivation, skills and commitment of staff.”