Enter and View Report: Springfield Lodge Care Home

Report - 25 September 2019

Our report looks at the findings from when our authorised representatives visited Springfield Lodge care home in West Rainton.

At this Care Home two of our authorised representatives spoke to 15 individual residents, carers, family members and staff, using a set of appreciative questions to prompt people to describe good practice they had experienced or seen- two observation sheets were completed by authorised reps during the visit, no surveys were completed prior to the visit.

Representatives observed activity and spoke to people during our two hour visit, to collect their own independent impressions of the home and its services, which they recorded during and after the visit. A private space was available if residents felt the need to talk in confidence to us.

Recommendations

One of the most conveyed messages from the people we spoke to on the day, was how good the balance and quality of care is. They clearly very much appreciated the good relationships and service they either received themselves, or acknowledge happens, at the home. People feeling that “staff are very friendly and flexible too”. People told us that staff are kind, caring and always looking out for them. This way of working, staff behaviours and culture is to be celebrated and retained here for the future
People felt that there is a positive environment in the home and this is created partly by the emphasis on the social aspect, which encourages visitors, carers and others to visit the home. People told us that the home is “an integral part of the village”
Activities are both brought into the home, as well as residents being taken to activities in, and beyond, the village. This clearly demonstrated an emphasis on understanding and engaging residents, according to individual interest. Residents and their families recognise and value this effort, and so it should be maintained as a priority
Within the home, residents told us that they really enjoyed the external services brought in for their benefit (i.e. Hair dresser, nail care and other related services). Several people suggested that the school children visits were particularly special to them. Having pets and other animals on site made some residents happy and made them feel at home, and especially appreciated where dogs were allowed to visit. Linked to the previous recommendation-this is adding to the importance of residents having what they like, and are used to, around them in their own space which cannot be underestimated in creating a happy and familiar atmosphere
Many people we spoke to suggested that there had been an improvement in the food and refreshments served at the home. People told us there was a good chef and a variety, meals were always on time. This should be monitored so that this high standard can be maintained, especially so this reflects when there are new residents to cater for
People told us they valued having their own room, with their own personal belongings. Having a ‘personal space’ was raised as very important by residents
Nearly everyone we spoke to suggested that the home generally was very clean (one resident said that on an odd occasion towels were not replaced in time, in her room) but that overall, the home was well maintained/kept
The emphasis on having a personal approach was very evident within resident’s personal space, in the way that items were displayed, used or adapted at the request of the individual. Clearly the home manages the balance between required medical and care needs with individual personal preference, very well
Retaining the systems and resources that allow this balanced and high standard, seems very important, and is clearly recognised as one of the most effective aspects when it comes to confidence in the care home