Hempton Field Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

Caring – this means we looked for evidence that the provider involved people and treated them with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained Good.

This meant people were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.

This service scored 85 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider was exceptional at treating people with kindness, empathy and compassion and in how they respected people’s privacy and dignity. Staff always treated colleagues from other organisations with kindness and respect.

Throughout our visit Throughout our visit we observed people being treated with extreme kindness, careand dignity. Staff supported people with patience and compassion, and we witnessed genuine affection between people and staff. Staff took the time to interact with people in positive ways that promoted their well-being. For example, during a very lively quiz, held in the garden, we saw people becoming animated, smiling and cheering in response to staffs' questions, answers and banter. People had clear and positive connections to the staff member and the event. This atmosphere of belonging companionship was tangible around the home and people seemed calm and relaxed.

we observed people being treated with extreme kindness, careand dignity. Staff supported people with patience and compassion, and we witnessed genuine affection between people and staff. Staff took the time to interact with people in positive ways that promoted their well-being. For example, during a very lively quiz, held in the garden, we saw people becoming animated, smiling and cheering in response to staffs' questions, answers and banter. People had clear and positive connections to the staff member and the event. This atmosphere of belonging companionship was tangible around the home and people seemed calm and relaxed.

People and their relatives told us staff were very kind and caring. Their comments included, “Very much so, kind and caring”, “Absolutely they [staff] are kind and caring”, “Totally, all of the above (kind, caring, polite), smiling and they [staff] bend over backwards to help, even down to the entertainer. This place absolutely thrives on its staff, they are always there to back each other up”, “Hempton’s greatest strength is the staff’s patience and grace. They are remarkable” and “Oh my God, [staff are] wonderful.”

The provider treated people as individuals and was exceptional in how they made sure people’s care, support and treatment met people’s needs and preferences. The provider took account of people’s strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics.

Care staff understood people’s preferences and wishes. Care plan’s contained good information to support staff to ensure people’s needs and preferences were completely understood. There were detailed individual plans which gave a holistic picture of the person.

One person told us, “I think they do know me, I’ve been here a year and a quarter, so we’ve got to know each other pretty reasonably well. I would say they treat me with respect.” Another person said, “I think they do know me well. If they have a few minutes they [staff] have a little chat, they get to know your likes and dislikes and they try hard to cater for you.”

Another person was extremely fond of animals, particularly pigs. Staff arranged a visit to a pig farm. Records stated, ‘[Person] was able to interact closely with the animals, including feeding piglets, an experience that immediately brought themjoy. [Person] smiled, laughed, and spoke animatedly throughout the visit, reminiscing about thier past and sharing stories with those around them. The experience was not only about fulfilling a wish but about reconnecting them with a meaningful part of their identity.’ Staff recorded the visit had ‘elevated’ the person’s mood and gave them a new ‘sense of purpose’. Photographs of the event clearly showed the person enjoying the experience.

One staff member spoke with us about caring for a person at the end of their life and being mindful of their individual needs. They said, “I was on a night shift and we had a resident [person] that was soon to pass. During the last 10 minutes of their life, the nurse in charge that night, and myself sat with the resident and made sure she was comfortable and peaceful in their passing, which she was. We had put on some relaxing music in the background and put the photos of her and her family that were around her room on her table with her. We were talking with her, so she knew that we were with her and she was not alone.”

Having discussed this service with you - you could also reflect that : We observed the impact of a culture that optimised people's opportunities to engage with and determine how their support was delivered. At lunchtime people congregated, or found personal space, in a wide variety of settings across the building and grounds. This happened naturally enabled by staff who adapted their support.

The provider promoted people’s independence, so people knew their rights and had choice and control over their own care, treatment and wellbeing.

People who had the capacity to choose felt they had control over day-to-day choices. The provider and staff had built up good relationships with families, so they had a good understanding of what preferences people might like, even when they were unable to choose themselves. Care planning set out people’s preferences in terms of where they wanted to receive care, where possible.

One person told us, ““I make all my own decisions. Whichever carer I have. [staff name], he really makes you laugh and is very caring. I choose a shower if I want one.” Another person commented, “I make all my decisions throughout the day, I choose everything.”

The provider ensured staff responded promptly, in the moment, when people needed help. Staff listened to people’s views and wishes and acted on them.

When people changed their minds, for instance at mealtimes, or choosing where they wanted to spend their time, staff were responsive to this. Staff were patient and helped people communicate their needs. One person spoke with us about staff responding to their wishes. They said, “They [staff are very quick to respond.” During our visit we saw call bells were responded to promptly.

Staff made prompt referrals to healthcare professionals when required, recorded advice and guidance in people’s care plan and followed that guidance.

The provider cared about and promoted the wellbeing of their staff, supported and enabled staff to always deliver person-centred care.

Staff felt well supported by leaders. One staff member said, “Personally I feel my manager is amazing. She takes time to listen to you, and doesn’t shrug you off and will follow up with you, she’s willing to come on floor to support, will support and help with any queries, she’s very fair, she’s very approachable, welcoming, checks in with you regularly to make sure you are ok and does an amazing job at being manager.”

The provider recognised and acted on the recruitment and retention challenges faced in social care. They did everything practicable to ensure the staff they employed understood the benefits and challenges of working in social care.

New staff received appropriate induction, supervision, training and support from experienced staff.