Sandfields wins approval of national care inspectors

Home news

Oct 19, 2017

A national care watchdog has given Sandfields the seal of approval, with relatives and residents praising its caring and attentive team members and extensive activities programme.

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report gave Sandfields an overall ‘good’ rating, following an unannounced inspection.

The home received ‘good’ ratings in all five categories, including safety, effectiveness, level of care, responsiveness and having a well-led service.

The report highlighted that there was a pleasant and lively atmosphere in the home with high praise given to team members by residents and relatives. For example, inspectors observed that at 3pm every day, all team members, including management and maintenance, spent time with residents enjoying a cup of tea and talking about their day. Comments from relatives and residents included: “The team are lovely here” and “[Sandfields] has turned out to be the best home I could have hoped and wished for.”

Praise was also given for the care that each team member showed towards the residents. One resident said: “I am definitely happy here, the [team] are very kind”. Another resident said: “I wouldn’t want to be elsewhere, the people are so kind here.”

Inspectors observed warm and friendly interactions between the team members and residents. They also noted that the team encouraged residents to spend their day as they wished. For example, one resident wanted to spend time in the home’s gardens due to the sunny weather so a member of the domestic team accompanied the resident to the garden to enjoy the sun. The report also highlighted a caring relationship between a resident and a maintenance worker - both had served in the RAF and enjoyed sharing stories about their time in service.

It was also noted that team members encouraged residents to be independent. For example, one resident who relied on an electric wheelchair to visit relatives and access the community had a personalised ‘number plate’ designed by the lifestyle coordinator. The team had an affectionate nickname for the resident and encouraged the outings which greatly improved their wellbeing.

It was observed that the team were attentive to residents needs and wishes. The team encouraged residents to complete life history stories to identify what was important to them, as well as supporting their day-to-day needs and goals. For example, one team member introduced a resident to music therapy. The music therapy sessions had a massive impact on the resident, and allowed them to express themselves through singing. Another resident was a keen amateur photographer so the team helped create a gallery in the corridor outside their room, allowing the resident to proudly display their work.

The report also found that great detail was taken with regards to residents preferences and dietary requirements. One resident commented: “I’m on a limited diet and (the chef) makes me my own meals…I never go hungry in here.” During mealtimes, residents were offered a choice of meals from the menu, and team members presented residents with a sample of each dish so they could see and smell the food to make an informed decision.

The report noted that the activities and entertainment offered were a particular strength, and that team members had created a meaningful activities programme. Comments from residents included: “Every day something happens here” and “There is lots to do, it’s really good. I’m active and I wouldn’t want to be elsewhere.” Relatives also praised the activities team, one commented: “Sandfields sets itself apart from any home I’ve experienced with varied daily activities which are organised and run by a very dedicated lifestyle team.”

To assess service standards at Sandfields, the CQC’s inspector spoke with team members, residents and their visiting relatives on the day of the inspection. They also reviewed the records and procedures already in place at the care home.

Deanna Lane, home manager at Sandfields, said: “We strive to create a welcoming home from home feel at Sandfields, and I’m so pleased our efforts have been recognised by the CQC’s inspectors. Everyone here works incredibly hard to support residents with compassionate, person-centred care, and to be rated ‘good’ shows just how committed the team is to making a positive difference to residents’ lives each and every day.

“I’m extremely proud of our team and I would like to say thank you for their hard work and dedication, which I know is also greatly appreciated by residents and their families.”