Enter and view: 169 Lodge Hill Care Home

Healthwatch Greenwich carried out an Enter and View visit to 169 Lodge Hill, a six-bed residential care home for adults with mild to severe learning disabilities. Overall, the home was found to be welcoming, homely and person-centred, with staff demonstrating a strong commitment to promoting independence and maintaining a supportive environment. Residents benefited from the home's location on a former NHS site, with access to nearby facilities and green spaces.

The environment was generally well maintained, with spacious and personalised bedrooms, comfortable communal living areas and a large garden. Healthwatch noted thoughtful adaptations to meet residents’ needs, including padded corridor walls and specialised furniture. Activities were tailored to individual preferences and included day-centre attendance, music sessions, aromatherapy, cooking, sensory reading, local walks and trips using the home's own minibus. Residents were also supported to maintain family relationships and practise their faith where desired. 

Staff appeared to know residents well and were observed communicating effectively, including through personalised communication methods and Makaton signs. Feedback and care planning were largely provided through individual keyworker and best-interest meetings involving families and professionals. The limited feedback gathered directly from a resident during the visit was positive, with the resident describing staff as supportive and kind. 

Healthwatch concluded that 169 Lodge Hill provided a positive living environment and good-quality support. Areas for improvement included reorganising and updating noticeboards and displayed information, introducing regular resident meetings where possible to strengthen involvement and communication, and tidying parts of the garden by removing unused equipment and furniture. Overall, the home was viewed as a caring and well-managed service where residents appeared settled and well supported.