Springfield Nursing Home ordered to improve over safety concerns

Springfield Nursing Home previously had an overall rating of good

A care home which was inspected by a health watchdog following a resident's death has been ordered to improve over fears it is putting people at risk.

Springfield Nursing Home in Chorley, Lancashire, was given an overall rating of requires improvement but it was graded inadequate for safety.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) raised concerns over risk management and protection from potential abuse.

The care home said it was addressing concerns as a "matter of priority".

CQC inspectors visited the facility on Spendmore Lane, Coppull, which was previously rated as good, on 1 August.

In the report, the CQC said everyone they spoke to "told us they felt safe".

"However, upon reviewing practice we identified potential concerns that could place people at risk of harm," inspectors said.

"This included concerns around medicines, risk management, staff recruitment and training, protection from potential abuse and governance procedures."

The report highlighted how effective systems were not in place to protect people from the risk of potential abuse and care staff, including seniors, had not completed basic safeguarding awareness training.

The CQC added: "Some action had been taken to mitigate risk but more action was required.

"The new manager had begun to take steps to introduce and implement the required changes."

Regular reviews

The inspection was "prompted in part due to ongoing concerns received about an incident following which a person using the service died", the CQC said.

This incident is subject to further investigation by the watchdog as to whether any regulatory action should be taken.

Inspectors found there was enough staff to meet the needs of people living in the home on the day of the inspection, however, some staff told them this was not always the case.

"We have recommended this is regularly reviewed," the CQC said.

Inspectors also noted the home was "clean and good procedures were in place for the management of infection".

The CQC said it would work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor the care home's progress.

A spokesman for Springfield said: "The report does flag helpful concerns over governance and aspects of our procedures and record keeping. The people we care for, and their loved ones, can be assured that we are addressing these as a matter of priority."

An action plan was in place for every point raised, he said.

He said staff were described as as "responsive, kind and caring" and the inspector noted the home has "a good standard of cleanliness, provides a varied menu of quality food, and has all the right procedures in place to manage infection".

He added: "It is encouraging to read the inspector already feels that the culture in our care home has much improved."

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