All inspections: Springfield Care Home - Care Quality Commission

During this inspection we spent time observing how people were cared for to help us understand the experiences of people using the service. This was because many of the people using the service had dementia care needs which meant they were not always able to tell us their views. We saw people were treated with consideration and respect.

We spoke with 12 of the 27 people who used the service and four visitors to get their views of the service at Springfield care home. Their comments included, 'The care is very good' and 'staff are very friendly and informative'.

People had been individually assessed to see if they could make their own decisions. Care records had enough information so staff would be able to know how to support each person in the right way.

There had been improvements to the way the home and equipment was kept clean.

We talked with three of the five care staff on duty. They felt there were enough staff to keep people 'safe' and meet their physical needs, but not always enough time to sit and talk with people.

The provider had a system for checking the quality and safety of the service.

We carried out this review to check what progress the service had made to the improvements we suggested in August 2012 about care records.

As part of this review we asked the provider to confirm in writing that the action had been taken. The provider wrote to us on 11 December 2012 to confirm the new care records had been completed so that staff now had information about each person's needs.

We carried out this inspection visit to check what progress the home had made in making the improvements to the premises we suggested in April 2012.

Many of the people who lived here could not comment on the service because of their dementia care needs. We spent time looking at how people were supported by staff and saw what choices they could make.

We talked with three visitors and two people who lived at Springfield. One person using the service told us, 'The girls are very nice. They always have a chat with me and let me know what happening.' All the people we spoke with described staff as 'kind' and 'welcoming'.

We saw staff helped each person at their own individual pace. In discussions staff were knowledgeable about each person's independent skills as well as their care needs.

The home had systems to make sure people were safe and protected. Visitors told us they had 'no concerns' and that people's dignity and well-being were safeguarded.

The provider had made improvements to the home to make sure windows were sealed. The accommodation was warm, safe and comfortable. There was a programme of redecoration and maintenance to make sure the home was kept in a reasonable state.

At the time of this visit the home was changing the care records to a new format. However we found some of the new records had not been fully completed. This meant some records about people's needs were not always up to date.

We carried out this inspection visit to check what progress the home had made to the improvements we suggested in December 2011.

Many of the people who lived here could not comment on the service because of their dementia care needs. We listened to how people were supported by staff and saw what choices they could make. We saw that people could choose to spend time in their rooms for privacy. We saw that people now had written menus so that they could choose from a range of meals.

We spoke with two relatives and five residents during this follow up visit. People made complimentary comments about the service they received at this home.

Relatives told us that they felt they were kept informed about individual people's care and well-being. One visitor told us, 'They always let me know how's she has been and whether she is eating well. If anything happens or she's not well they always telephone me to let me know.'

The people we spoke with commented positively on recent improvements to the premises. One relative told us, 'There have been some improvements lately. It's an old building so it will always need something doing to it. But she's got a nice room and we use one of the smaller lounges for privacy when the family visit her.'

People said they felt they could make comments and suggestions on an informal basis while they were visiting the home.

Many of the people who lived at the home could not comment on the service because of their dementia care needs. However a visiting relative told us that they felt staff were 'very patient' and 'friendly' in their care of people.

Another relative had written to the home thanking them for 'the care given that allowed (their relative) to live their final days in dignity.'

We saw that people could choose to spend time in their rooms for privacy. Some people told us that they had a key to their bedroom door, so they could stop other people going in by mistake.

We saw that people could choose to have their meals in their rooms if they preferred. During this visit one person chose to eat in a seated area in the corridor and this choice was respected and supported by staff.

We saw that staff were attentive to people's individual needs and used gentle encouragement to support people to eat their meals where necessary.

One person told us, 'They're all very good to us. They help me with everything I need.'

A visiting relative commented, 'We're very satisfied with it. The service seems very good.'

Visiting relatives spoke positively about bedrooms and lounges. One relative said, 'There seems to be plenty of places for people to sit.'

Visitors also commented on improvements to some parts of the premises, including new carpets to some corridors and some bedrooms.

The relatives we spoke with had positive comments about staff attitude and the level of care. A visitor said, 'The staff are so welcoming and friendly.'

Another relative told us, 'They all seem very caring and so patient with people. Not everyone could do this job but they all seem very kind.'

Archived: Springfield Care Home

All Inspections

24 July 2013

During a routine inspection

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

28 August 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

10 April 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

28 December 2011

During a routine inspection