Enter and view: Sandybrook House

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen carried out an Enter and View visit to Sandybrook House, a 25-bed care home providing support for adults affected by dementia, mental health conditions and old age. Overall, the home received an amber-green assessment, with Healthwatch finding a clean, welcoming and well-maintained environment supported by committed staff and a positive management culture. The building had recently been redecorated, bedrooms were personalised to support people living with dementia, and communal spaces were bright, spacious and largely dementia-friendly. 

Staff were described as cheerful, supportive and knowledgeable, with employees reporting good access to training and feeling respected by management. Healthwatch observed examples of caring and compassionate interactions, particularly when staff supported anxious residents or helped people maintain their dignity. Residents generally spoke positively about their bedrooms, cleanliness and comfort, with comments including that rooms were warm, tidy and pleasant places to spend time. 

Several challenges were identified relating to the home's dementia population and staffing pressures. Some residents without significant cognitive impairment expressed frustration about living alongside residents with advanced dementia, particularly around wandering behaviours, noise and concerns about belongings. Healthwatch also found that mealtimes could become a "pinch point", with staff balancing support for residents in the dining room and those eating in their rooms. During lunch, limited staff presence occasionally reduced opportunities for supervision, social interaction and support for residents who struggled to eat independently. Views on the food were mixed, although inspectors noted that meals appeared appetising and residents were often offered alternatives or second helpings. 

Healthwatch concluded that Sandybrook House provided a generally positive environment with caring staff and good standards of cleanliness and maintenance. However, opportunities existed to improve the mealtime experience, increase opportunities for meaningful daily activities and make better use of outdoor spaces. While residents valued organised outings such as trips to the zoo, theatre and safari park, some reported boredom and a lack of regular in-house activities. Healthwatch also highlighted the benefit of clearer signposting to the home, improved use of outdoor areas and continued focus on supporting residents with differing levels of cognitive need.