CQC Report
Inspectors praise adult social care services
Hartlepool Council's Direct Care & Support Service has been praised following a visit by Government inspectors.
Under the inspection regime, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) give a rating in five areas to determine how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led services are.
After spending three days recently with the Council's Direct Care and Support Service, it was judged to be "good" in all five areas and "good" overall.
The Direct Care & Support Service provides reablement support (short term support, usually following a hospital discharge), a 'telecare' response services (responding to technology that helps people live at home longer) and an emergency respite care service for family carers to over 2,000 local people.
In the report, Inspector Beverley Robson-Jones, said: "People told us they felt safe when receiving care and support from staff at the service. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and how and when to report concerns.
"People and relatives we spoke with said they felt staff had the right skills to provide the care they needed.
"People told us staff were caring, friendly, helpful and respectful. They described how staff respected their privacy and promoted their independence."
Councillor Stephen Thomas, chair of Hartlepool Council's Adult Services committee, said: "to be judged good in all five areas by the CQC is a significant achievement and testament to the quality of care our staff provide.
"It is always reassuring to be praised by inspectors and we'll continue to strive for further improvement despite the ongoing financial constraints placed upon us."
