Enter and view: Crabwall Hall Care Home, Mollington

Healthwatch Cheshire carried out a prior‑notice Enter and View visit to Crabwall Hall Care Home in Mollington, Chester, on 24 November 2025. The purpose was to gather residents’, relatives’ and staff experiences, observe the environment and care, and make recommendations for improvement. They spoke to 14 people.

The home was found to be clean, well maintained and welcoming, with friendly staff and a positive atmosphere. Staff greeted visitors warmly, the environment looked tidy, and residents’ photos and information were clearly displayed. Visitors and staff commented positively on the ambience. 

Residents generally reported feeling safe, cared for, respected and supported, with many saying staff were kind and attentive. Staff appeared busy, and some residents and relatives noted that call bells sometimes took a while to be answered. The home aimed to respond to call bells within five minutes, though this was not always achieved. 

Most residents said they had good relationships with staff, although a few noted that staff had limited time for one‑to‑one interaction. The home uses permanent staff with occasional agency support and provides induction and training for all workers. 

The home works closely with several healthcare providers, including GPs, district nurses, chiropodists, opticians and physiotherapists. Staff said hospital discharge information could sometimes be inaccurate, so they routinely complete their own face‑to‑face assessments. Residents were generally well presented, and health professionals visited frequently. 

Residents enjoyed a wide range of activities such as quizzes, bingo, sherry socials, exercise sessions, pet therapy and visits from entertainers. Trips take place twice a week using the home’s minibus, and intergenerational activities with schools occur regularly. However, some residents felt there were too few activity options or wanted more varied and personalised choices. Only a minority reported involvement in planning activities. 

Food was homemade onsite and menus offered several options, but many residents said meals were repetitive and lacked seasonal variety. Some also felt dinner was served too early. Snacks were available, though not all residents felt they could access them easily. 

Bedrooms were modern, comfortable and clean, with ensuite facilities, although limited space reduced opportunities for furnishing rooms with personal furniture. Communal areas, including lounges, a bistro and a library, were bright, attractive and well equipped. Outdoor spaces were pleasant and accessible, though one garden bed required tidying. 

Residents and relatives praised the home’s friendly staff, clean environment and sense of safety. Some suggested improvements included more varied food, later mealtimes, more personalised activities, clearer communication about care plans and greater advance notice of outings. 

Healthwatch recommended reviewing menu variety, offering more notice for excursions, ensuring residents understand their care plans and tailoring activities more closely to individual interests. The service provider responded positively, outlining planned actions such as bespoke surveys on food and activities, reviewing menus, and ensuring care plans are routinely discussed in meetings.