All inspections: Springfield Care Centre

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by CQC which looks at the overall quality of the service. This inspection was unannounced.

Springfield is a nursing home registered to provide accommodation and nursing care for up to 80 people. At the time of the visit there were 77 people using the service. The service was arranged into six units accommodating 10 to 15 people.

At our previous inspection in February 2014, we found the provider was meeting the regulations we inspected.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

We found that the administration of ‘as required’ medicines were not always available or the information contained within them was not adequate. This meant there was not always guidance for staff about when it would be appropriate to administer some medicines such as a medicine used for agitation or laxatives. This was a risk to the health and well-being of people who used the service.

This was a breach of Regulation 13 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010

People told us they felt safe using the service. Staff were trained in safeguarding adults and the service had policies and procedures in place to ensure that the service responded appropriately to allegations or suspicions of abuse. The service ensured that people’s human rights were respected and took action to assess and minimise risks to people. Staff had received training on behaviour that may challenge and the service consulted with other professionals about managing aspects of behaviour safely.

All of the people we spoke with said that staff were approachable, they could chat with the staff and that they were listened to. Throughout our inspection we observed that staff were caring and attentive to people. Staff showed dignity and respect and demonstrated a good understanding of people’s needs.

People's views about the staffing level varied. Some people told us there were not enough staff but others felt that staffing level was adequate. However, all people we spoke with made positive comments about the staff. Their comments included, “[Staff] are very caring and treat everybody as an individual. The carers are always treating people nicely. They are very caring and polite.”

Staff had access to information, support and training that they needed to do their jobs well. The provider’s training programme was designed to meet the needs of people using the service so that staff were able to provide care and support that met people's needs.

Care plans and risk assessments were completed and reviewed regularly. This ensured that there was appropriate care and support that reflected and met each person's needs.

The provider worked with relevant social and health care professionals. This ensured that there was good communication and co-ordination between relevant people to work together to meet people's needs.

Before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. The registered manager told us that every person referred to the service was visited by the manager or deputy manager of the service prior to the service commencing to assess their needs.

We spoke with four members of staff, including the registered manager. Staff told us that people's needs were detailed in care plans and specific issues were discussed during meetings, including daily handover meetings.

Appropriate arrangements were in place in relation to the management of medicines. This included ordering and repeat prescriptions obtained directly from the pharmacy.

Staff received appropriate professional development. All staff received mandatory training that was relevant to their role. This included training on medication, fires safety, food hygiene, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005) and infection control.

The service had a range of processes in place to monitor the quality of care provided. This included audits of of care records, infection control procedures and medication.

The provider has taken steps to provide care in an environment that is suitably designed and adequately maintained.

Since our last inspection on 23 and 24 January 2013 the provider has made improvements to the safety and suitability of the premises and is now compliant with the essential standards in this area.

The communal lounges, toilets and shower rooms at the location were clean. Toilet seats had been fitted correctly. Fixtures and fittings within them were clean. This included all armchairs in the lounges.

Since our last visit the home had replaced 63 wardrobes and bedside tables which were worn and damaged making them difficult to clean. We found the bedrooms to be clean and well maintained. This meant people can be cared for in a safe and secure environment that meets their needs.

All of the old rubbish bins at the location had been replaced. We found all the bins were opening and closing properly when operated by the foot pedal. Bins were not overflowing with rubbish. We found all the equipment including lifting hoists at the home to be clean and well maintained.

The heating system was in full working order and the temporary radiators that we had observed in people bedrooms during our last visit had been placed in storage.

We inspected this service in July 2012 and found that they were not compliant with three of our standards: care and welfare of people who use services, safety and suitability of premises and staffing. We conducted this inspection to ensure that improvements had been made.

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. Risk assessments were in place and reviewed on a regular basis.

One of the relatives we spoke with told us, 'mum is always nicely dressed; she is very happy here and says that the staff are very kind'. One of the people who lives at the service told us, 'they're very good; they help me to get up in the morning'.

The premises had not been adequately maintained to ensure that they are suitable for providing care to people. Many of the chairs in the lounges where stained except for the Sparrow Unit lounge that had clean new chairs. Many of the corridors and lounge carpets were stained except for the carpets in the Sparrow unit which was clean. In addition we found two broken toilet seats, overflowing bins, broken bins, dirty equipment and that heating system was not working properly.

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. Staff rotas showed there were sufficient staff on each unit during all shifts. People told us that when they needed support a member of staff would always be there to support them.

We talked to people who used the service. The majority of people were satisfied with the care they received and found the staff to be friendly and helpful. One person told us, "It's good here, we get treated well". Although another person was less satisfied with the night staff and told us that some night staff slept whilst on duty and did not like to be disturbed.

People told us the home was always clean and tidy and that the food was good with a choice available.

Archived: Springfield Care Centre

All Inspections

07/08/2014

During a routine inspection

4 February 2014

During a routine inspection

18 March 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

23, 24 January 2013

During a routine inspection

13 July 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns