Home care provider taken out of special measures

Federica Bedendo
BBC News, North East and Cumbria
BBC A stock image of an older person's hand holding a walking stickBBC
The Care Quality Commission said the service still required improvement

A company providing home care to elderly people has been taken out of special measures, but still requires improvement.

Amicable Care in Carlisle, Cumbria, had been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2023 and placed in special measures, after breaching regulations, including in the safe administration of medicines and safeguarding.

A report published this week found the company's caring and responsive management was "good", but said safety, effectiveness and leadership all "required improvement".

Amicable Care has been approached for comment.

The firm provides care for those with dementia and physical disabilities.

The CQC said the care agency had made some progress and while it was no longer in special measures, it was still breaching some regulations.

Concerns included its ability to identify and address issues, with some care records having insufficient details about people's needs.

Action plan

While medicine management had improved, "further and sustained improvement was needed", the report said.

Inspectors found recruitment had improved and staff felt "supported and valued" and that those receiving care were "unanimously positive" about the reliable service.

"People and their relatives described staff as kind, cheerful and helpful," the report said.

Inspectors also said they had asked the company for an action plan to tackle "shortfalls" found.

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