Enter and view: Milton Court

Healthwatch Milton Keynes carried out an Enter and View visit to Milton Court Care Home on 7 July 2026 to gather residents' views and observe the quality of care, social engagement and daily life within the home. A total of 19 residents were interviewed during the visit. 

Milton Court is a purpose-built nursing and residential care home in Kents Hill, accommodating up to 131 residents in the main building, with 100 residents living there at the time of the visit. The home was undergoing significant refurbishment works, including improvements to bedrooms, bathrooms and communal areas, which were being managed in a way that minimised disruption to residents.

Overall, Healthwatch found Milton Court to be a welcoming, well-managed and caring home. Residents consistently reported feeling safe, respected and well cared for, and staff were observed to be kind, professional and attentive. The management team was visible and approachable, contributing to a positive culture throughout the home.

The report highlighted the strong sense of community within the home, particularly in the lobby and café area, where residents, staff and visitors regularly interacted. Residents benefited from a varied programme of activities delivered by a dedicated wellbeing team, including one-to-one support and in-room activities for those unable to participate in group sessions. 

Residents spoke positively about the quality of care and staff relationships, often praising carers for their kindness and compassion. Most residents felt involved in discussions about their health and wellbeing and said they would feel comfortable raising concerns with staff or management if necessary.

Dining experiences were generally viewed favourably. Residents enjoyed the food and appreciated the flexibility of the catering team, which accommodated individual preferences. Staff provided attentive support during mealtimes, and hydration was actively encouraged, particularly during a period of hot weather. 

The report identified several areas for improvement. These included introducing dementia-friendly signage, addressing lingering odours in some carpeted areas, improving call bell response times during busy lunchtime periods, enhancing the dining environment for residents living with dementia, increasing activity options that appeal to male residents, and reviewing the comfort of hoists used for some residents.

Examples of best practice included strong community partnerships, an enthusiastic wellbeing team, compassionate end-of-life care, and a culture in which residents and families felt valued and supported. Family members described staff as going above and beyond expectations to provide both practical and emotional support. 

Healthwatch concluded that Milton Court had improved significantly since previous assessments and suggested that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) undertake a fresh inspection, as the current published assessment, based largely on evidence from 2021 with a review in 2023, no longer accurately reflects residents’ experiences or the quality of care observed during the visit. 

In its response, Avery Healthcare welcomed the report’s findings and accepted the recommendations. The home committed to improving dementia-friendly signage, reviewing call bell response times, enhancing dining experiences for residents with dementia, expanding activities for male residents, considering alternative flooring solutions, reviewing hoist comfort, and improving communication about care planning.