Springfield Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We looked at 8 quality statements in this Safe section. People and their relatives felt safe living at Springfield Care Home and staff ensured they managed risk safely. People and relatives told us they had been involved in developing people’s individual care and support needs when they moved in. This involvement was not always recorded. Staff knew people’s needs and how to support them, however, care plans did not always contain sufficient detail to guide staff in managing risks, for example if a person became agitated. We were made aware by the registered manager care records were being changed and totally updated and the process was ongoing. The registered manager addressed these issues during the assessment. Relatives and people told us there were sufficient staff on duty to provide appropriate support. One person said, “It is tricky they have staffing problems, but they are trying their best to overcome them. I was having dizzy spells and if I hit the ground the staff were there quickly.” Another said, “They seem well staffed and never rushed.” Staff feedback predominately felt they had sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of people. We observed staff were available in the communal areas of the home at all times to care for people. People received their medicines as prescribed. Equipment was serviced and maintained appropriately. The building was clean and personal protective equipment was available in all areas of the home. People’s capacity to make decisions was assessed and best interest decisions recorded. Records did not always show who had been involved in making the best interest decision. However, this was addressed by the management team at the time of the assessment and evidence provided. Staff recruitment procedures ensured checks were made prior to the staff member starting work. Staff received the training for their role, and all had completed or been enrolled on a relevant health and social care courses.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People were able to explain how the learning culture affected their experience in the care home in a positive way. For example, one person said, “They have to help me move around and staff do it very well and seem well trained.”

Staff told us the process they would follow to report any incidents or accidents. They said these were discussed in handovers and lessons learnt discussed and recorded.

The registered manager explained the process when incidents occurred and we looked at how they were managed in a timely way. We found any accidents/ incidents had been investigated with any identified actions completed. The registered manager said they reviewed the incident forms and then discussed with the staff team to ensure they learned from them.

We received positive feedback from people living at the home. People told us they had been supported to be admitted to the home safely. One person said, “They were very nice to me when I came here at first and I felt settled straight away.”

Staff told us they had no concerns with the admission process the management team had in place. One of the management team said, “We [the home] have recently updated our admission process to focus on the person and family making the decisions to suit their needs.”

Feedback from local contracts monitoring teams were positive. They told us the management team conducts thorough pre-admission assessments, including face-to-face evaluations when possible, to ensure the setting can meet the needs of people safely and effectively.

We saw evidence that the registered manager completed pre-admission assessments with people prior to their transition into Springfield Care Home. Staff had developed care plans with people and their families to include interests, likes and health needs. Other useful information, such as their dislikes, how they communicate and any reasonable adjustments they might need were included. These had recently been updated to be more thorough.

People and relatives told us they felt safe while living at Springfield Care Home and felt they could speak to the management team and staff if they had any concerns or issues.

Staff knew how to report any safeguarding concerns and the process to follow. One staff member said, “I know what to do and feel confident any safeguarding concerns would be acted upon.” Staff explained how they sought people’s consent before providing any care through explaining what they were doing.

Staff were observed helping people when they required it in a sensitive timely way. They were also involved in providing a happy sociable atmosphere as witnessed today by having visits from nursery aged children who were matched to people by the toy they were holding.

Capacity assessments and best interest decisions were completed, however, there was no indication in one assessment of who else was involved in the decisions, for example people’s relatives. The registered manager said they would record all people involved in best interest decisions going forward.

People told us they were supported to manage identified risks that they could do. For example, one person described what support they needed to move around the home. They said, “They do encourage me to walk with the walking aid, but they are still there if required.”

Staff supported people to manage risks appropriately. One person’s care plan stated that they wanted a shower on a regular basis. We spoke to a staff member who said, “We do support [person] however we do encourage people to be as independent as possible.”

We observed a number of people of whom were identified as poor mobility, walking with appropriate aids and supervision from staff. One person was observed asking staff for assistance and was supported as identified in their care plan.

Records we reviewed showed risks were assessed and reviewed regularly these checks identified people’s needs or reflected their choices. Where needs had been identified there were quality management checks completed, such as staff competency checks.

People told us they felt safe living at Springfield Care Home. People and relatives told us they felt the environment was kept clean and tidy. One person said, “There were always some maintenance tasks going on.” However, relatives felt some refurbishment in communal areas would improve the outlook of the home.

Management team and staff we spoke to acknowledged there were safety concerns in terms of storage of equipment such as hoists and wheelchairs. The registered manager said, “We do have a storage issue but are looking into providing extra space for equipment.”

We observed wheelchairs and hoists had been left in hallways, which were in daily use to support people with their moving and handling requirements. However, this could be a potential safety hazard for people. In addition, a bathroom had been used for storage of equipment. We brought these concerns to the registered manager who took immediate steps to rectify the risk identified.

Processes were in place to identify any issues such as regular building audits and maintenance checks. We found these were up to date and all equipment had been checked to ensure peoples safety.

People and their relatives told us staffing at Springfield Care Home had improved considerably since the new registered manager had taken over. They also commented on the qualities of the staff. One person said, “Yes, the attentiveness of the staff reassures me.” A relative said, “There is always someone around and [relative] is no longer isolated.”

The Registered manager used a dependency assessment tool, to carry out continuous assessment of the needs of people. The outcomes of this assessment were used to identify the required number and skills, of staff to support people. During this assessment staff told us they felt staffing was appropriate. However, a staff member felt more staff would benefit the people at the home. Comments from staff included, “We are well staffed and many times residents who want to go out can do, accompanied by staff.” Also, “No issues with for me with staffing levels.”

Our observations were that staff were appropriately staffed. Staff were always present in communal areas to check on people’s wellbeing in a timely manner.

The Registered manager used a dependency assessment tool, to carry out continuous assessment of the needs of people. The outcomes of this assessment were used to identify the required number and skills, of staff to support people. During this assessment staff told us they felt staffing was appropriate. However, a staff member felt more staff would benefit the people at the home. Comments from staff included, “We are well staffed and many times residents who want to go out can do, accompanied by staff.” Also, “No issues with for me with staffing levels.”

People we spoke to were positive about the cleanliness and maintenance of the home comments included, “Oh yes, they clean on a daily basis, they clean my room daily and once month they do a deep clean.” Also, “They [staff] are always doing some work on the place and the cleaners are very good.”

Staff said there was a plentiful supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). Domestic staff were on duty every day and said they had enough cleaning products. One staff member said, “We don’t have a problem with cleaning supplies and the domestic staff do a great job.”

We walked around the building and found the home was generally clean and had undergone some redecoration and refurbishment. However, the management team were aware more refurbishment and redecoration were needed in communal and bathroom areas. Housekeeping staff were on the rota daily and we observed them operating throughout the visit. Staff had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

Health and safety and infection control checklists were used to ensure equipment was regularly cleaned and operating correctly, for example wheelchairs and hoists. In addition, regular auditing of the building and required maintenance checks had been done. For example, fire checks and gas certificates were up to date to ensure peoples safety.

People and relatives said they received their prescribed medicines as planned and on time. One person said, “Always get my medicine on time they manage it very well.”

Staff who administered medicines said they had received training and were observed on a regular basis by the management team administering medicines. A staff member said, “We are strict about administering medicines we have to be trained and monitored it’s a good thing.”

(PRN) protocols were in place and records showed they were accurate. Audits identified any discrepancies during stock checks Medicines competencies were completed, for including night staff. We observed medicines being administered safely. The member of staff explained what they were doing, asked if people needed a pain killer where this was prescribed and was patient whilst doing this.