I have had the pleasure of numerous inspections undertaken by CSCI/CQC over the years.
Six years ago I was away for the inspection,our service was graded as adequate,due to the lack of updated paperwork.
I was mortified and asked for another inspection.We spent 3 months getting everything sorted behind the scenes,we had everything,ie seven hundred policies and procedures,we followed all the national minimum standards but we were a bit disorganised and when a certain item was asked to be seen ,no one could find it.
What we did well was care,we had no written complaints,we had over a hundred letters of thanks,we were the agency used by people in the statutory sector to care for their relatives.We had a very low turn over of staff.
The next inspection came and we were given a good rating.
I asked how we could get an excellent score and I was told to get a all singing and dancing web site!!
We now spend hours and hours keeping our documentation up to date,we are supposed to review care plans at least yearly,our care plans change daily,I have somoene whoose sole job is to go out and about updating care plans in peoples homes.
The red tape is a nightmare,we have new regs and rules coming all the time.I have just recently seen the new Infection Control Quality Standards,the manual is huge,that in itself will probably take my managers a week to read , digest and act on.
I set up my domiciliary care company 20 years ago,the care we provide has not changed,my senior staff positions have,they are now pen pushers.
Another form of regulation is now upon us,and as JPG1 informed everyone not long ago,the current rating system is being abolished.So hey ho,another set of paperwork.
I have had to engage the services of a consultant to help comply with these new quality standards since we have no time to do this.
Sorry for having a good old moan,just thought I could throw a bit of light from the other side,so to speak.
Have a lovely Sun afternoon everyone.