Field Lodge care home wins praise from relatives and approval of national care inspectors

Home news

Aug 11, 2014

Care UK’s Field Lodge care home in St. Ives has been given the seal of approval by a national care watchdog, with relatives and residents praising the home’s caring team members.

Field Lodge provides specialist care for people with dementia who have the most complex care needs, as well as offering full time residential and nursing care, and short term respite care.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report, which follows an unannounced inspection of the home on London Road, said people are happy at Field Lodge. Relatives whom inspectors spoke to were happy with the care their family member was receiving, with one relative saying: "I think this is perfect for my [family member].  It’s a community for her and she’s happy here.” A resident commented: “They’re very kind here. I’m very comfortable and I feel safe.”

The inspectors examined the home and its records and interviewed team members and residents before announcing that the home meets the government’s five national standards of quality and safety, which are:

• Treating people with respect and involving them in their care
• Providing care, treatment and support that meets people's needs
• Caring for people safely and protecting them from harm
• Staffing; and
• Management

All the residents the inspectors spoke to said that their needs were met in the way they wanted them to be met, and they liked the team. The inspectors reported that the team had a friendly, caring attitude and treated residents in a compassionate way; and that they were given time to get to know each person, and to learn about their likes and dislikes.

Residents who spoke to the inspectors confirmed they were treated with respect. One resident said: “All the staff are extremely pleasant. They enable me to remain independent.”

The inspectors also reported that people were given choices in all aspects of their daily lives – other than lunch and dinner, which were at set times. A range of activities are provided so residents have a choice of things to do, and the inspectors highlighted that the cinema, next to the community café on the ground floor of the care home, is used for a number of activities as well as screening films.

One resident said: “Activities are marvellous. There’s something happening every day.” While another resident added: “We have some very good things to do.”

Matthew Cox, home manager at Field Lodge, said: “Having welcomed our first residents to Field Lodge earlier this year, we are all thrilled to have now received such a positive report from the CQC.

“The report picked up on some key points, such as the high level of service provided by our team, how our residents experience care, treatment and support which met their needs, and the extent to which residents are involved in the development of plans for their care. However, above all, the team here is particularly pleased to read how our residents enjoy living at Field Lodge and that they feel supported to live active and fulfilled lives.”