Shinfield View Care Home in Nottingham, a residential care home for people over the age of 64 was rated outstanding for being safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), 30 & 31 October 2019.
The CQC report highlighted that care at Shinfield was top of the agenda. Back in June 2018, action was taken to get a person urgent help regarding their safety outside of the home.
The person was living at another care home, but visited Shinfield View for an assessment as they wanted to move in. During the assessment it was noticed that the person was having difficulty swallowing.
When the person moved to Shinfield View two days later management arranged for a speech and language therapist (SALT) to be present and carry out an urgent swallowing assessment. The staff were then able to ensure the person had the thickened liquids and pureed diet, prescribed by the SALT, to make sure the risk of choking, or aspirating liquids was reduced as soon as possible from the beginning of their move to Shinfield View Care Home.
Where people needed extra help to eat, the service had implemented a 'buddy' system. Where staff 'buddy' with people at mealtimes. At the time of the CQC inspection a resident was pacing u and down and would not sit down for meals. Their buddy walked with them carrying her lunch and was able to give her mouthfuls in between pacing. They were able to get the person to have a three-course meal in this way. All staff were involved in the initiative and one member of the domestic staff said, "The hour I spend with [Name] at lunchtime is the best hour of my day."
