Enter and view: The Angela Grace Care Centre

Healthwatch Northamptonshire undertook an Enter and View visit to Angela Grace Care Centre on 29 June 2015.

The visit found that the home provided a calm, welcoming and well-maintained environment for residents, including people living with dementia, mental health needs and those receiving end-of-life care. Residents spoke very positively about the care they received, describing the home as being like a “first-class hotel”. Staff were observed treating residents with dignity and respect, and residents reported that staff were friendly, polite and attentive to their preferences and privacy. 

The home offered a wide range of activities, including armchair yoga, bowls, music sessions, theatre trips, shopping outings and visits from a therapy dog. Food was a particular strength, with residents praising the quality and choice available and saying they could request specific foods if they wished. Relatives were actively involved in care planning and there were regular meetings for residents and families, alongside surveys to gather feedback. Staff also reported high levels of satisfaction, good teamwork and positive communication within the home.

Healthwatch Northamptonshire concluded that the home provided a high standard of person-centred care with many examples of good practice. Recommendations included exploring options to increase parking provision, considering the recruitment of more male staff to improve balance within the workforce, and encouraging staff to become Dignity Champions and Dementia Friends to further strengthen the compassionate care already being delivered.