Enter and view: Moorland View Care Centre

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen carried out an Enter and View visit to Moorland View Care Centre, a 32-bed residential care home for older people. The home was found to be located within an attractive Victorian property with extensive gardens and a range of communal spaces. While residents generally described the environment as friendly and comfortable, Healthwatch identified a number of maintenance, accessibility and organisational issues and awarded the home an overall amber-red rating. 

Residents gave mixed feedback about their experiences. Many praised the staff, describing them as kind, supportive and attentive, and several enjoyed the regular programme of activities, particularly exercise sessions led by an external instructor, bingo, crafts and entertainment events. Some residents described the home as sociable and welcoming, while others expressed concerns about aspects of daily life, including limited outdoor access, lost laundry, uncomfortable mattresses and long periods spent watching television. 

Healthwatch's main concerns centred on the lunchtime experience and aspects of resident safety. Representatives observed mealtimes as poorly coordinated, with inconsistent supervision and limited continuity between staff supporting residents. In some cases, residents who declined meals were not immediately offered alternatives, while staff appeared unaware of whether certain residents had eaten or drunk during the meal period. The report also highlighted concerns that both the room call system and fire alarm panel were displaying faults during the visit, which Healthwatch considered a potential risk to residents and staff, although the provider later stated that both systems remained operational and that repairs and upgrades were already underway.

Healthwatch concluded that Moorland View had a caring staff team, strong activity provision and significant potential due to its spacious grounds and communal areas. However, improvements were recommended to mealtime organisation, environmental orientation for residents, maintenance of communal areas, use of outdoor spaces and systems for gathering and responding to resident feedback. The provider responded in detail, outlining ongoing investment in refurbishment, signage, safety systems and garden improvements, while disputing some of the conclusions drawn about mealtime practice and staff awareness of residents' nutritional needs.