- Care home
Springfield Lodge Care Home
Assessment report published 14 May 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 10 March to 1 April 2026. We visited the service on 10 and 16 March The assessment was completed due to the time since the last inspection and the rating awarded. Springfield Lodge Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 40 older people, including people living with dementia.
The service was last inspected in January 2025 where the provider was in breach of the legal regulation in relation to governance and medicines. A number of improvements were found in this assessment, and the provider was no longer in breach of these regulations.
During the inspection we observed a warm, settled environment where people were supported by staff who knew them well. The atmosphere was relaxed and inclusive, with people spending time together, taking part in activities and being offered refreshments. One person told us, “I am safe and they look after you well.”
People’s experiences of care were generally positive and many described staff as kind, responsive and caring. We observed lots of caring interactions between staff and people and relatives. Staff were quick to respond when people needed support.
The provider had systems in place to support safe and effective care. Where minor environmental and safety risks were identified during the inspection, these were acted on promptly. The medicines management had improved. However, further improvements were needed in relation to as and when required medicines and covert administration. The management team took immediate action to addressed this during this inspection.
Staffing levels were described as stable, and recruitment checks were in place. Oversight of training, supervision and appraisal required further strengthening.
A new leadership team were in place, and they were more visible in the service. Staff and relatives spoke positively about the impact of new management, with improved morale and provided clearer direction. One staff member told us, “I now feel happy coming to work.” Governance systems were developing and there was a clear commitment to learning and improvement.
This service has been in Special Measures since 18 March 2025. The provider demonstrated improvements that have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.
People's experience of this service
People we spoke with and observed at Springfield Lodge Care Home generally described a warm, settled experience, with staff interactions that were kind and responsive. During our visit, the lounge had a relaxed atmosphere with music playing and people spending time together, including knitting, conversations and drinks being offered. We also saw people enjoying a birthday party and an entertainer who provided singing and dancing that most people took part in.
People’s experiences of care were mostly positive. One person told us, “The care is ok and my carer is brilliant.” A person and their relative shared, “The most important thing are they are clean, warm and happy. We have never seen a member of staff being intolerant with residents.”
People told us they mostly felt safe living at the home, and some felt confident they could raise concerns. One person said “I’m very comfortable and safe. I would go to the managers if I had a complaint but haven’t needed to yet.” However, some people described risks that affected their sense of security, including, “I used to feel safe but there’s a resident that goes into our rooms.” This was shared with the management who were aware of this and were supporting the people involved appropriately.
Food and mealtimes were an important part of people’s day-to-day experience and views were mixed. Some people were complimentary, for example, “I can’t complain about the food, it’s great and I enjoy it. I get fresh fruit even for my mid-morning coffee.” Others highlighted areas for improvement, A relative told us, “The food could be a little more imaginative.”
People and relatives also commented on leadership visibility and communication. A relative told us, “I like the manager we see a lot of her”, while another person said, “I can’t remember the name of the manager, but I know who she is and she’s new.”
We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI), which helps us understand the experiences of people who are unable to communicate with us directly. Overall, we observed a friendly, inclusive environment with positive day-to-day engagement.