Enter and view: Trinity Lodge

Healthwatch Coventry carried out an enter and view visit to Trinity Lodge on 15 July 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 five residents, five members of staff, the manager and one visitor, alongside making observations throughout the home. 

Trinity Lodge is a residential care home specialising in dementia care, with 36 residents living in the home at the time of the visit. Healthwatch found residents appeared happy and comfortable, and observed a calm, friendly atmosphere. Staff were seen treating residents with patience, dignity and respect, including providing reassurance to residents who were distressed or confused. Visitors and staff spoke positively about the quality of care, management support and the cleanliness of the home. 

The home was found to have a number of dementia-friendly features, including themed corridors, personalised bedroom door displays, clear signage and secure gardens. Residents generally enjoyed the food and had access to snacks and drinks throughout the day. However, staff and visitors highlighted that there were limited opportunities for activities and outdoor access, particularly at weekends. Staff felt that additional staffing or activity support would help residents spend more time in the gardens and take part in a wider range of meaningful activities.

Healthwatch concluded that Trinity Lodge was a well-managed home with residents’ best interests at its heart. Recommendations included increasing activity provision through additional staff, volunteers or activity workers, introducing more colour to corridors to help residents distinguish different areas, and improving access to the gardens through additional handrails and keeping garden doors open in suitable weather.