Enter and view: Gadsbury Close Sheltered Housing Plus

Healthwatch Barnet carried out an announced Enter and View visit to Gadsbury Close Sheltered Housing Plus on 8 September 2016. Gadsbury Close is a Barnet Homes sheltered housing scheme where tenants live independently in their own flats, while care services are arranged separately for those who require support. At the time of the visit, there were 39 tenants, 15 of whom had care needs. 

Overall, Healthwatch found Gadsbury Close to be a welcoming and community-focused environment. Tenants described the scheme as peaceful, friendly and safe, and spoke positively about the support provided by the manager. Inspectors were particularly impressed by the manager’s visibility, accessibility and commitment to tenants’ wellbeing. 

The building had recently been refurbished and featured dementia-friendly communal areas. Facilities included a communal lounge, kitchen, terrace, gardens, Wi-Fi and a communal computer. Security arrangements were strong, with intercom access and television monitoring systems that allowed tenants to identify visitors before granting entry. 

Tenants generally expressed satisfaction with their accommodation and surroundings. Many had lived at the scheme for over ten years and valued its location near local amenities, transport links and family networks. Some concerns were raised about occasional noise from other tenants, security around the garden boundaries and a previous mouse infestation following building works, although management reported that action had been taken to address the issue. 

The report identified concerns regarding care planning and oversight of commissioned care services. While Adult Social Services assessed tenants and arranged care packages where necessary, the manager felt there was insufficient monitoring of care plans, which were not always updated or cross-referenced with care providers’ records. The manager also believed it would be helpful to have direct access to tenants’ care plans. 

Although the quality of care agencies was not formally reviewed during the visit, concerns were raised about aspects of care delivery, particularly overnight support. One relative questioned whether some care workers had sufficient training to meet residents’ personal care needs. Healthwatch considered these concerns serious enough to suggest future investigation. 

Hospital discharge arrangements were highlighted as a major problem. The manager reported that tenants were often discharged from hospital without adequate notice, sometimes outside normal working hours. This could leave vulnerable tenants returning home without sufficient support and create difficulties if medication or care arrangements had changed following discharge.

Social activities were largely tenant-led. Residents organised communal breakfasts, lunches, coffee mornings and occasional entertainment, supported by volunteers and the scheme manager. However, tenants expressed a desire for more organised trips and outings, particularly opportunities that would be accessible to less mobile residents and wheelchair users. Some residents also suggested additional activities such as exercise classes.

Healthwatch identified several accessibility issues within the building. There was no wheelchair-accessible communal toilet on the ground floor, and wheelchair users found it difficult to access the terrace because of narrow French doors, a raised threshold and the absence of a ramp. 

Overall, Healthwatch concluded that Gadsbury Close was a well-managed sheltered housing scheme that successfully promoted independence while fostering a strong sense of community. Nevertheless, improvements were needed in care plan management, communication around hospital discharges, accessibility and opportunities for social inclusion. 

The report recommended improving hospital discharge communication, ensuring care plans are regularly reviewed and coordinated with provider records, improving wheelchair accessibility, strengthening holiday handover arrangements for management cover and exploring ways to provide more inclusive outings and activities. Partner organisations accepted the recommendations and committed to addressing several of the issues identified.