Northfield Care Centre

Updated 26 March 2025

Date of Assessment: 15 April to 15 May 2025. Northfield Care Centre provides accommodation for people who require nursing or personal care, this includes supporting people living with dementia. The service can accommodate up to 80 people in purpose-built accommodation. 67 people were living in the service at the time of our inspection visit.

This inspection covered all quality statements under the key questions Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well led. This was the first inspection of the service under the new provider organisation.

The provider had a good learning culture and people could raise concerns. People were protected and kept safe. Staff understood and managed risks. The facilities and equipment met people’s needs and were clean and well-maintained and any risks mitigated. There were enough staff with the right skills, qualifications and experience to provide care and support to people. Managers made sure staff received training and regular appraisals to maintain high-quality care. Staff managed medicines well and involved people in planning any changes.

People were involved in assessments of their needs. Staff reviewed assessments taking account of people’s communication, personal and health needs. Care was based on latest evidence and good practice. People had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving services. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity and treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. People had choice in their care and were encouraged to maintain relationships with family and friends. Staff responded to people in a timely way. The provider supported staff wellbeing.

People were involved in decisions about their care and staff provided information in a way people could understand. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the provider took it seriously and acted on it.

Leaders and staff had a shared vision and culture based on listening, learning and trust. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. There was a culture of continuous improvement with opportunities and resources to try new ideas.

Updated 26 March 2025

The consistent views of people and their family members indicated this provider delivered a safe service which included engagement with other healthcare providers, and reporting on healthcare visits both into the home and outside the home. Consequently, family members were content their relatives were looked after in a safe place and manner. All visitors reported they were happy with the service and facilities of the home. One person told us, “The hospital chose this for my discharge from hospital. I feel perfectly safe here. I’m waiting to move to a home nearer my [family] but part of me hopes it won’t happen soon because this is a lovely home – the staff are very kind and I have a fine, large room.” Another person said, “I feel very safe here, on [the residential floor]. I was previously in a care home with mainly [people living with dementia]. Staff recently sorted a potential hazard when cables under the bed were catching on the wheels of the hoist. This was promptly fixed.” Family members confirmed they were informed when any medical intervention was required. People or family members did not raise any issues or concerns about the management of medications.

The people and family members we spoke with were content with the food, with the majority judging the food as “good” or “fine” and a few being more fulsome in their praise. All people reported they had sufficient to eat. There was a choice of two main meals at lunchtime and people were observed making choices. One person told us, “The food is excellent. I am very pleased with the meals.” A relative said, “The food is good; the meals are lovely and [family member] eats every bit.”

There was a very positive response from both people and family members in respect of the care provided. Staff were universally praised, as was the size and outlook from their rooms. A relative told us, “I think it is very nice here and the new owners are doing great. The staff are good and friendly to me and my [family member].” Another family member told us, “I have no concerns with the care at all and if I had I know how to voice them.” A person who lived in the care home said, “I like it here. I like the staff.”

A positive feature mentioned by family members was the online “Family Gazette” (Famileo) which is a facility for families to post messages and photos about what they had been doing between visits to the service. This was then printed off by the provider in a newspaper format and enabled people to keep in touch with family activities.

This service is under new ownership and a new management team was in place. People and family members we spoke with were positive about the new ownership and new on-site management team. A family member told us, “It gets better every time I come. The improvements are amazing. There are more staff and improved furnishings and the new staff seem better qualified.”