Enter and view: Eastbury House Care Home

Healthwatch Dorset carried out an Enter and View visit to Eastbury House Care Home in Sherborne, a residential nursing home supporting older people, including those living with dementia and receiving end-of-life care. Overall, the home was found to provide good, person-centred care, with residents describing staff as kind, attentive and respectful. Residents generally felt safe, enjoyed the company of staff and other residents, and spoke positively about the quality of food, activities and support available. 

The home was described as welcoming, homely and well maintained, with a strong staff team and low staff turnover. Staff were praised for their commitment, communication and person-centred approach. Residents had access to a variety of activities, outings and community events, and relatives were highly complimentary about the care provided, particularly for residents with complex needs such as dementia and diabetes. 

The main challenges related to the building itself, which is an older listed property with multiple staircases, changes in floor levels and limited dementia-friendly design features. Healthwatch noted a lack of directional signage, limited colour contrast for people living with dementia, some potentially unsafe steps and low seating in communal areas. Concerns were also raised about ensuring better communication with families regarding medical appointments and encouraging greater use of outdoor spaces and mobility support.

Healthwatch concluded that Eastbury House is a caring and supportive home delivering high-quality care in a positive environment. Recommendations focused on improving accessibility and dementia-friendly design, reviewing communal seating, increasing signage, strengthening communication about healthcare appointments, encouraging residents to make greater use of the garden and ensuring staff communication systems remain secure and effective.