Enter and view: Montgomery House

Healthwatch Shropshire carried out an Enter and View visit to the Wrekin Unit at Montgomery House, focusing on the experiences of residents with learning disabilities who had moved there from Crowmoor House. Residents generally reported that they were happy in their new home, liked the staff and food, and had been involved in choosing the decoration of their bedrooms. 

The main concern raised by residents was a reduction in opportunities to go out and take part in activities compared with their previous home. During the visit, residents with learning disabilities were observed sitting together watching television, and no planned activity was taking place on the unit at that time. It was also noted that one resident largely controlled the television choice for the group.

Healthwatch found the environment to be purpose-built, clean and well maintained, with accessible facilities and clear signage. Staff interactions with residents were friendly and respectful, but were relatively limited during the visit. Managers reported ongoing staffing challenges due to long-term sickness absence and confirmed that agency staff were being used to maintain services while recruitment continued. 

Healthwatch concluded that residents were settled and generally satisfied with their care, but recommended increasing staffing levels where possible, providing more meaningful activities tailored to residents' interests and abilities, encouraging more staff interaction with residents, and ensuring television choices were shared more equally among people living on the unit.