Enter and view: Turfcote Manor Care Home

Healthwatch Lancashire carried out an announced “Enter and View” visit to Turfcote Care Home with Nursing on 11 February 2016 to observe the quality of care, environment, and residents’ experiences. The home, which provides nursing and specialist care for up to 76 residents, including those with dementia and complex health conditions, was generally described as welcoming and well located. They spoke to 19 people.

Overall, the environment and facilities were rated 3.6 out of 5, indicating an average to good standard. Pre‑visit contact and the home’s location were rated very highly, and the external environment was considered pleasant and well maintained. However, the reception area was rated poorly due to a lack of clear signage, information for visitors, and seating, partly because of ongoing refurbishment. 

Inside the home, communal areas were generally clean, homely, and spacious, although some areas appeared worn and in need of maintenance, with dim lighting and décor issues in places. Corridors and bathrooms were mostly safe and accessible but sometimes lacked adequate supplies (such as soap or paper towels), and some features were not dementia‑friendly. 

Observations of care showed that staff were usually kind, respectful, and hardworking, and residents largely felt safe and well treated. However, there were inconsistencies in care practices, including slow responses to call bells and occasional poor communication or handling techniques. Interaction between staff and residents was sometimes limited outside of direct care tasks. 

Residents’ feedback on their living environment was mostly positive, with many describing the home as clean and pleasant and expressing satisfaction with their rooms and privacy. Nonetheless, some concerns were raised about maintenance issues, access to outdoor areas, and uncertainty about using different communal spaces. 

Feedback on food was mixed. While many residents found the food acceptable and appreciated having drinks available, others reported limited choice, small portions, lack of fresh fruit, and occasional issues with meal quality or appropriateness for dietary needs.

A key area of concern was the limited range of activities. Residents reported that organised activities were infrequent and often limited to options such as bingo, which did not appeal to everyone. There was no dedicated activities coordinator, and opportunities for outings or engagement were considered insufficient. 

Relatives’ feedback, though limited, suggested satisfaction with overall care but highlighted poor communication and lack of involvement in care planning. Staff, in contrast, reported feeling well supported, adequately trained, and positive about their work environment. 

In summary, Turfcote Care Home provided generally satisfactory care with a welcoming atmosphere and committed staff, but improvements were needed in areas such as maintenance, communication, activity provision, responsiveness to residents’ needs, and consistency in care quality