• Care Home
  • Care home

Springfield Court Nursing Home

Overall: Outstanding read more about inspection ratings

33 Springfield Road, Aughton, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 6ST (01695) 424344

Provided and run by:
Springfield Court Limited

Important: We have edited an inspection report for Springfield Court Nursing Home in order to remove some text which should not have been included in this report. This has not affected the rating given to this service.

All Inspections

6 July 2023

During a monthly review of our data

We carried out a review of the data available to us about Springfield Court Nursing Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about Springfield Court Nursing Home, you can give feedback on this service.

13 November 2018

During a routine inspection

Springfield Court is located in the village of Aughton, Ormskirk. Accommodation is provided on one level for up to 60 adults requiring support with personal or nursing care needs. Single occupancy and shared rooms are available with ensuite facilities. Pleasant lounges and dining areas are provided. A variety of amenities are close by including pubs, a restaurant, shops, a post office and churches. There is a car park to the front of the premises. There were 51 people living at the service when we visited.

Springfield Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

At the last inspection in May 2016 the service was rated overall good. At this inspection we found that the service had improved to outstanding.

Why the service was rated outstanding.

The registered manager had been in place for 15 years and was supported by a clinical lead who had also been in place for 12 years. The management team shared a thorough understanding of people in their care and the combination of business and clinical management contributed to the exceptional service delivery. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The service had built on its sustained good rating and demonstrated outstanding qualities across two domains: responsive and well-led. Springfield Court had an inclusive ethos throughout service delivery and this created exceptional positive outcomes for people that lived at the service, people's relatives and staff.

We saw examples of outstanding person-centred care which enabled people who lived at the service to maintain their identity and independence. The team at Springfield Court were confident in positive risk taking and showed how they helped people who lived at the service to achieve their goals and aspirations.

The providers and registered manager worked in a united way to continually review the quality of care and support provided. Staff told us that they thoroughly enjoyed their work and felt included and valued. The providers invested in staff wellbeing and an inclusive family approach was embedded throughout.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. We saw good examples of people being assessed in line with the Mental Capacity Act and when a person lacked capacity staff fully considered their best interests in a person-centred way.

Springfield Court is a passionate provider of social care and this was led from the senior management team. The providers live on site and have owned the service for 30 years. They know the needs of all service users and consider them to be family.

In 2010 the providers built an extension to the service initially with the intent to increase the number of bedrooms available. However, the providers decided to turn the extra space into a ‘Theatre of Dreams’. The theatre of dreams is a large communal area for people to access social activities and enjoy time with visitors. Six to eight times each year, the theatre was turn into an extravagant venue and the providers organised West End acts to perform. The elegant dinner evenings were enjoyed by people who lived at the service, their relatives, staff and the wider community. In excess to this the providers told us that they did not want people who were unable to leave their bedroom to miss out and therefore used innovative technology to live stream each event to people’s bedroom televisions. This showed an exceptional level of responsive and considerate work achieved and sustained by the service.

We found that the service had sustained and built on its exceptional links with the community. Springfield Court was a community hub and this enabled people who lived at the service to engage in exciting and creative social activities on a frequent basis. The service showed great ingenuity to ensure that its service users had access to their community.

Staff had a very good understanding of medicines management and how to assess individuals' risk in a person-centred way. The environment was clean and well maintained. We found that the providers continually invested and took pride in the building.

There were high staffing levels and a work force with the required skill mix to ensure people's wellbeing, safety and security were protected. A robust recruitment and selection process was in place. This ensured prospective new staff have the right skills and were suitable to work with people living at the service.

The service provided personalised, caring and excellent end of life care. The sensitive team approach meant they could obtain a wealth of information about each person’s end of life preferences. We saw staff showed genuine sensitivity and compassion.

Staff engaged with people who lived at the service on a very frequent basis to obtain their feedback and provide them with opportunity to express any need for change. We found that the registered manager was extremely passionate about enabling people to feel involved and listened to. There was a complaints procedure and this was accessible for people who lived at the service and visitors. The manager maintained robust records to show how people's concerns had been dealt with.

The service understood the importance of facilitating positive communication and showed great initiative around the Accessible Information Standard, including treating each person as an individual to ensure that their needs were assessed and facilities provided to enable them to be fully engaged.

We found that the service wholly considered people's equality, diversity and human rights. A non-discriminative workforce meant that the service embraced change and welcomed diversity.

Further information is detailed in the findings below.

29 February 2016

During a routine inspection

This comprehensive inspection was unannounced, which meant the provider did not know we were coming. It was conducted on 29 February 2016.

Springfield Court is located in the picturesque village of Aughton, Ormskirk. Accommodation is provided on one level for up to 56 adults who require help with personal or nursing care needs. Single occupancy and shared rooms are available with en-suite facilities. Pleasant lounges and dining areas are provided. There is a well designed 'Theatre of Dreams', which encompasses a recently developed modern café and which opens up into a comfortable, well appointed conservatory. A variety of amenities are close by including pubs, a restaurant, shops, a post office and churches. There is a car park to the front of the premises.

We last inspected this location on 16 September 2014. At that time all areas we assessed were compliant with the Health and Social Care Act Regulations 2008.

The registered manager of Springfield Court had been in post for eleven years. She was responsible for the day to day operation of the home, supported by the registered providers. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

During this inspection we found that everyone who lived at Springfield Court to be clean and well presented. The home was safe, well maintained and good quality fixtures and furnishings were provided. There were no odours evident and the environment was clean and tidy throughout. Staff were well trained and were seen to interact well with those who lived at the home, responding to their needs in a professional and yet compassionate manner.

Assessments of needs were conducted before a placement at the home was arranged. Plans of care were in place. However, these could have been more person centred and could have provided staff with better guidance about how people's assessed needs could be best met.

During the morning a range of beverages and crumpets were served, which people seemed to really enjoy. The lunch service was well managed and we saw staff encouraging those with a poor appetite to eat, without being forceful. This was done in a gentle and supportive manner and by offering a variety of choices. Staff were very patient and responsive to people's needs.

The well established theatre provided regular entertainment by a host of well know celebrities, such as Ken Dodd, Jimmy Cricket and some popular 60’s musicians. A number of well-known speakers have also given presentations at the home. For example, Martin Bell and M.P Alan Johnson are amongst those who have made appearances.

The home has three very pleasant, well furnished conservatories, which provide light, airy and comfortable spaces for people to entertain their visitors, or for people to just sit and relax. There is also a summer house in the grounds for people to use during the better weather.

The registered manager and the registered providers were seen to be very visible around the home, spending time chatting with those who lived at Springfield Court, staff members and visitors alike. Springfield Court provided a warm and friendly atmosphere for all the people who lived there and those we spoke with, as well as their families provided us with consistently positive feedback about the service provided, the staff team and the management structure of the home.

16 September 2014

During a routine inspection

During the course of this inspection we gathered evidence against the outcomes we inspected, to help answer our five key questions; Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with those who used the service, their relatives, support staff, the manager and providers and from looking at records. We received consistently positive comments from those who lived at Springfield Court and their relatives.

If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read our full report.

Is the service safe?

People we spoke with told us they felt safe whilst care and support was being provided and their dignity was always respected. We observed staff transferring people, using moving and handling equipment in a safe and competent manner. Systems were in place to help managers and staff to learn from situations, such as complaints or incidents. This helped the service to continually improve.

The home had proper policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Applications were made, as was needed. This helped to ensure people were not being unnecessarily deprived of their liberty. Those who lived at the home, or their relatives were involved in making decisions about the care and support provided.

At the time of our visit to this location, we toured the premises and found the environment to be fit for purpose. It was safe, clean, hygienic and pleasant smelling throughout. Equipment was well maintained and serviced regularly. Therefore, people were not put at unnecessary risk.

Is the service effective?

There was an advocacy service available. This meant that people could access additional support, if they needed it. The health, personal and social care needs of those who used the service had been assessed before a placement was arranged. This helped to make sure the staff team were confident they could provide the care and support needed by each individual. A range of external professionals were involved regularly, to ensure people's health care needs were being appropriately addressed.

Systems were in place to ensure the service was effectively assessed, so that the quality of service provided was consistently monitored. People's needs were taken into account enabling them to move around the home freely and safely. The premises had been sensitively adapted to meet the needs of this client group, so that people were protected from harm. Visitors confirmed they were able to see people in private and visiting times were flexible.

Is the service caring?

We asked those who lived at the home and their relatives about the staff team. Feedback from them was very positive. They said staff were kind and caring towards them and helped them to meet their needs. When speaking with staff it was clear they genuinely cared for those they supported and were observed speaking with people in a respectful and friendly manner.

People's preferences, interests and hobbies had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes. Complaints were managed in a sensitive way and those we spoke with told us that any issues raised with the manager were sorted out very quickly.

Is the service responsive?

People regularly completed a range of activities in and outside the service. Staff were seen to be responding to people well by anticipating their needs appropriately. The service worked well with other agencies and services to make sure people received care and support in a consistent way. Evidence was available to show the home responded well to any suggestions for improvement and appropriate action was taken to rectify any shortfalls identified.

Is the service well-led?

The service had a quality assurance system in place and records showed that identified problems and opportunities to change things for the better were addressed promptly. As a result, the quality of service provided was continuously monitored.

Staff spoken with had a good understanding of their roles. They were confident in reporting any concerns and they felt well supported by the managers of the service. People who lived at Springfield Court and their relatives completed annual satisfaction surveys. This allowed people the opportunity to periodically comment about the service provided. Responses seen were very positive.

24 June 2013

During a routine inspection

During our inspection we were able to chat with five people living at the home. They told us their needs were being met by a kind and caring staff team and they were always consulted about the care and treatment provided. We were also able to speak with three relatives.

We found staff had been appropriately recruited and were well supported by the management team. Methods for monitoring the quality of service provided had been established and systems had been developed in order to protect the health and safety of those living at the home.

Comments from those living at the home and some relatives included:

"My husband is being really well looked after. I have no complaints about this home."

"We cannot fault them. The staff are very caring towards everyone. They are so conscientious and work very hard."

"I am happy here, but there is no place like your own home. At least I am safe and have some company."

"What I like about being here is the staff. They are super. The surroundings are magnificent too."

During our inspection we assessed standards relating to care and welfare and how people were supported to be involved in the planning of their own care. We also looked at the management of medications. Standards relating to staff support, recruitment and monitoring the quality of service provision were also inspected. We did not identify any concerns in any of the outcome areas we assessed.

24 January 2013

During a routine inspection

During our visit to this location we spoke with a number of people who lived at Springfield Court Nursing Home, who all gave us positive feedback about the services and facilities provided. People spoke extremely highly about the staff team and managers of the home.

Comments included:

"Springfield Court is tip top."

"Make sure you give them top marks. They deserve ten out of ten and more. You couldn't get anywhere better than here, I am sure."

"I only need to have a sniffle and they (the staff) look after me so well."

We also spoke with several visiting relatives, who all expressed satisfaction with every aspect of the service and one commented, "My husband gets all the care he needs here. The staff are fantastic with him."

During our inspection we looked at how the provider involved people in planning their own care and support and how welfare was promoted. We also looked at staff training and processes for monitoring the quality of service provided. We found the service was compliant with all areas we looked at.

12 March 2012

During a routine inspection

People using the service told us they were very happy living at Springfield Court. They said their needs were being fully met and they were treated with respect at all times.

Comments from residents included:

"I am so lucky to be here. Everything about this place is wonderful. The staff are all gems, the food is magnificent, the home is warm and comfortable. It is like a palace you know and there is always something going on."

"They (the staff) are very kind and caring. Nothing at all is too much trouble."

"This is the best place I would think. It is the nearest to home."