EVALUATION OF GREENROD PLACE and PARK LODGE HOUSE IN HOUNSLOW

Healthwatch Hounslow reevaluated Park Lodge House following an earlier review. The aim of this evaluation is to understand how the two centres function as Extra Care services, whilst catering to the needs of their residents in Hounslow. This was achieved by capturing the views and impressions of the services, care and support being provided to residents at Greenrod Place and Park Lodge House respectively, through interviews with residents, their family members and some of the staff.

From the evaluation of the responses received, Park Lodge was seen to be more inviting and better run, whereas Greenrod Place had a more isolated feel to it. Park Lodge staff were described as being highly motivated and the differences between the two places meant that the opinion held was that Greenrod Place required the most amount of improvements. However by emulating the success and changes implemented in Park Lodge, Greenrod Place would be able to improve to the same standards. 

As a spacious, well laid out, new purpose built development in the middle of a residential area of the borough, Park Lodge House looks attractive, bright and lively. The local people had protested against its construction but from the residents’ point of view, it is good that Park Lodge House is set in pleasant surroundings. The management and staff look highly motivated; they interact, socialise and mix freely with residents and also seem to be open to ideas and suggestions from them.

 Greenrod Place, on the other hand has a totally different feel. Although refurbished, neat and tidy, it seems isolated, quieter and far less vibrant than Park Lodge, and the senior staff appear to be demotivated. Though residents are able to approach staff/management with issues and concerns, it seems that they might go unheard (as is evident from the heating and plumbing issues remaining unresolved). It is also clear that there is scope for empowering residents by involving them in staff recruitment, actively listening to them and being proactive in catering for their needs. Good examples would be: having readily available lists of affordable transport options for residents and making sure that price of kitchen food does not make it unaffordable for those residents on benefits. There is also a clear need for more interaction between staff/management and residents on a social level.