Archived: Springfield House

Updated 8 March 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This unannounced inspection took place on 5 February 2016. The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.

Prior to this inspection we reviewed records held by CQC which included notifications, complaints and any safeguarding concerns. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. This enabled us to ensure we were addressing potential areas of concern at the inspection.

On this occasion we did not review the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. This was because we had inspected this home in June 2015 and were carrying out another fully comprehensive inspection to check the provider had taken the necessary action in relation to the breaches of Regulation that we found.

As part of our inspection we spoke with six people, the registered manager, the deputy manager, seven staff, three relatives, a friend of one person and one social care professional. We observed staff carrying out their duties, such as assisting people to move around the home and helping people with food and drink.

We reviewed a variety of documents which included five people’s care plans, four staff files, training information, medicines records and some policies and procedures in relation to the running of the home.

We last inspected Springfield House Nursing Home on 2 June 2015 where we found the provider was not meeting the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We found breaches in Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment), Regulation 11 (Need for consent) and Regulation 9 (Person-centred care).

Updated 8 March 2016

Springfield House Nursing Home provides personal care and support for a maximum of 27 older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. On the day of our inspection 20 people were living in the home.

This was an unannounced inspection that took place on 5 February 2016. We carried out this inspection to follow up on our inspection on 2 June 2015 where we found the provider was in breach of some of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Following that inspection we received an action plan from the provider informing us of the actions they planned to take in response to our inspection.

The home had a registered manager. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager assisted us with our inspection on the day.

Staff followed correct and appropriate procedures in administering medicines and medicines were stored safely and appropriately.

Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff followed the correct procedures for people who did not have capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Care was provided to people by staff who were trained and received relevant support from their manager. This included regular supervisions and undertaking training specific to their role.

Care plans were individualised and contained information to guide staff on how someone wished to be cared for. Information included detail around people’s mobility, food and personal care needs. Where people had risks identified guidance was in place for staff to help reduce these risks.

Quality assurance checks carried out by staff to help ensure the environment was a safe place for people to live and they received a good quality of care. Staff were involved in the running of the home as regular staff meetings were held. People were asked for their views about all aspects of their care and could make their own decisions.

There was a good atmosphere in the home where people and staff interacted in an easy-going manner. People and relatives were happy with the care provided and they were made to feel welcome when they visited.

There were a sufficient number of staff to care for people. Staff supported people to take part in various activities and treated people with respect and dignity.

Safe recruitment practices were followed, which meant the provider endeavoured to employ staff who were suitable to work in the home. Staff were able to evidence to us they knew the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about abuse or someone being harmed.

People had care responsive to their needs. People were provided with a choice of meals each day and those who had dietary requirements received appropriate food to ensure they were not at risk of choking.

Staff maintained people’s health and ensured good access to healthcare professionals when needed. For example, the doctor, optician or district nurse.

Complaint procedures were available to people and there was a contingency plan in place should the home have to be evacuated.

There was an open positive culture within the home and it was evident the registered manager had good management oversight and was respected by staff.

We found the provider had taken all necessary action to ensure they were meeting the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.