Enter and view: The Spinney

Healthwatch Coventry carried out an enter and view visit to The Spinney Care Home on 28 June 2016 to gather information about residents’ experiences of living in the home and to assess quality of life, care and support. During the visit, Healthwatch spoke with six residents, two members of staff, two visitors and the manager, and also received completed questionnaires from visitors.

The visit found The Spinney to be a small residential home with a welcoming and homely atmosphere. Residents and visitors were highly complimentary about the care provided, describing staff as friendly, caring and attentive. Healthwatch observed positive interactions between staff and residents and found that people felt respected, listened to and treated with dignity. Visitors also reported that residents felt safe and well cared for. 

While overall feedback was positive, several areas for improvement were identified. Residents and visitors expressed a preference for meals to be prepared on site rather than reheated from a central kitchen, feeling this would provide greater choice and a more homely environment. Healthwatch also found that some residents without dementia were socially isolated, spending much of their time in their rooms and wanting more outings and activities. In addition, the report highlighted a need for more dementia-friendly features, refurbishment of some areas of the home, and better access to the garden for residents using wheelchairs or walking aids. 

Healthwatch recommended increasing opportunities for outings and activities, improving independent access to outdoor spaces, enhancing dementia-friendly signage and design, refurbishing tired areas of the home, and reviewing food provision. The report concluded that The Spinney provided compassionate care in a positive environment, while recognising opportunities to improve residents’ quality of life and independence.