- Care home
Northfield Care Centre
Assessment report published 22 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 24 September 2026. 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. 62 people were living in the service at the time of our inspection visit.
This inspection was carried out in response to information of concern we had received about the service. This inspection covered quality statements under the key questions safe and well led only.
Staff received training, supervision and appraisals but competency checks to ensure staff were safely administering medicines for epilepsy had not taken place. We identified concerns with the environment and infection control. Medicines were not always safely stored, and some emollients were also not stored correctly. There was lack of governance and oversight, which had not identified all of the shortfalls we identified. Staff did not feel listened to, or valued. Staff felt their wellbeing was not considered, and many told us they were very stressed and anxious due to the workload expected of them.
Staff told us the registered manager was supportive but senior managers didn’t listen to or make the required changes. A new care manager was in post along with a new quality lead who were aware of the issues we had identified and were developing a robust action plan, improved governance systems, and better communication to address the issues and drive improvements.
We found 2 breaches of the regulations relating to safe care and treatment, and good governance. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with people and their relatives, and generally relatives felt people were safe whilst others told us care was lacking and they were less confident people were safe. One relative said the service was, “Not 100% safe as very often my relative is left without a stick and their slippers are always down at the back and there’s a falls risk.”
People and relatives, we spoke with, all raised concerns regarding staffing levels. They said staff were often rushed or not available. Everyone we spoke with said there were not enough staff. One relative said, “[Name] was sat waiting that long to go to the toilet they wet themselves. Staff always look rushed.” Another said,” No not enough staff and weekends are the worst. People have a fair wait for call bells to be answered.”
Some relatives were not aware who the registered manager was, but others described them as “very welcoming.” Relatives were positive about being involved in giving feedback to the service. One relative said, “We were asked our opinions about the food last week. They are welcoming to the thoughts from families and residents.” Whilst another relative said, “There are relatives’ meetings and the occasional questionnaires.”