Spencefield Grange

Updated 16 February 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 26th January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 12 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 16 February 2022

About the service

Spencefield Grange is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 57 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can accommodate up to 60 people in a purpose-built building.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

The systems in place to audit and monitor the service were not always effective and information was not always kept up to date, this meant staff were not always provided with the up to date information they needed to provide the care for people.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; however, the provider needed to ensure staff consistently followed the policies and systems in place to fully comply with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. This was specifically in relation to seeking authorisation when administering medicines hidden in people's food in their best interests.

People’s experience of mealtimes differed. Those who required more assistance at mealtimes sometimes had to wait for the support they needed, and staff did not always have the time to be as attentive to them as they required. People had a choice and meals were prepared to meet both people’s dietary and cultural needs.

People could be assured they were cared for safely. Staff had background checks before they started to work at Spencefield Grange which ensured they were of suitable character to care for people. Staff understood the needs of people and followed the guidance given to mitigate any risk identified for people and keep people safe from harm.

Staff were kind and caring and people looked relaxed and comfortable in their company. They had the skills and knowledge to support people and worked well as a team.

People were respected, and their dignity protected. They were involved in developing their care plans and relatives were kept informed. Visitors were welcome at any time, several relatives commented how supported and welcomed they felt. There was a complaints procedure in place and people were confident if they did have any complaints that these would be addressed.

People, relatives and staff were encouraged to share their feedback and the registered manager was open to suggestions and approachable.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 18 October 2016)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.