Care worker was 'under influence of alcohol' while supporting client

A CARE agency worker was dismissed after being arrested following a crash and supporting a client "whilst under the influence of alcohol".

The incidents, which happened in February, were highlighted in a Care Quality Commission inspection report into Aamina Homecare Ltd, based in Immingham, which looks after about 130 patients across Northern and Greater Lincolnshire.

As reported, the CQC told Aamina it needs immediate improvement after failing to meet nine of 11 national standards.

Now details of further issues have come to light.

The CQC health watchdog was informed by the local authority that a member of staff had been arrested following a crash on February 14.

According to the CQC report, prior to the crash they had been "supporting a client whilst under the influence of alcohol" and the client told a relative the staff member had "appeared intoxicated". An investigation by the Ombudsman is also underway following a separate incident in January where a client died after being taken to hospital following a fall after a missed call.

Another "vulnerable" service user was left without attendance for two visits as a result of care staff "failing to have the correct keypad access code and taking the neighbours' word at face value", leading to the client being taken to hospital.

A spokesman for the firm, based in Craik Hill Avenue, said staff involved in the incidents had been dismissed and pledged that client safety and wellbeing is of "paramount importance".

He also said that the agency had since been reinspected and that they were now fully complying with CQC requirements.

When CQC inspectors previously visited in April, they found staff showed a genuine care for the people they were supporting.

But concerns were raised on a number of issues, including 62 out of 75 members of staff having not undertaken appropriate training in the safe administration of medication. Eleven staff members had not received formal training other than their induction.

CQC issued four formal warnings to the agency requiring improvements.

Aamina must also take action to address shortfalls against the additional five standards that are not being met.

The spokesman said: "We've been in operation since October 2008. We have always successfully passed CQC inspections and met all regulations and guidelines.

"There were some failings which have been dramatically improved and our inspection in July does reflect this.

"We have a new system in place that constantly tracks the movements of the care staff, so we know where they are at all times and if they are running late.

"This enables us to provide the cover where necessary and flags potential issues before they occur.

"Our client's safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance and we regularly review our procedures to make sure clients' needs always come first.

"The points which have been raised were fully investigated and the staff have been dismissed at the time of these incidents."

The report from the July inspection is in its draft stages and has not been published yet.

A statement from the North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: "The CCG is aware of the issues highlighted in the CQC report and will be working closely with the provider to ensure that the actions required to improve the quality of care are undertaken straight away.

"Aamina Homecare is not one of the CCG's commissioned lead providers with three clients using the service.

"New placements have been suspended until the actions required have been completed and the quality of care has improved to the required standard.

"People intending to access Aamina Homecare in the coming weeks should contact the Single Point of Access on 01472 256256 for information and advice. People currently using Aamina home care will be offered support to access other provision."

A spokesman for adult care at Lincolnshire County Council said: "We were fully aware of concerns raised back in April about the care provided by Aamina Homecare and have, in the three months since, been working with them alongside North Lincolnshire Council and the CQC to improve the service."

VIEW PICTURE GALLERIES www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pictures