Enter and view: Mildenhall Lodge

Healthwatch Suffolk undertook an enter and view visit to Mildenhall Lodge on 18 September 2015.

The purpose of the visit was to gather information about the choices offered to residents in their daily lives, their involvement in care planning and to learn about staff recruitment, retention and training as they all impact on the care provided. 

Since the home opened in June 2014 it has had four different managers which has been challenging for the staff group, particularly in the face of the adverse press publicity in 2014. The management changes have also caused some confusion and concern for the residents and their families. A new manager has now been appointed and all the comments received about them by residents, visitors and staff were very positive. 

Although Care UK is taking positive action to reduce its reliance on agency staff Mildenhall Lodge is still experiencing difficulty recruiting, and retaining care staff and attracting appropriately qualified nurses. The recruitment of nurses is a national problem and the location of the home also makes the recruitment of care staff challenging. There is formal induction training for all new staff and evidence that ongoing training opportunities are also available. Although the care planning process was described to Healthwatch, they were not able to comment on its implementation in practice. 

Residents and relatives spoke positively about the care provided and the choices offered to them. The E&V team saw evidence of good practice and positive relationships between staff and residents throughout the visit.