Enter and view: Powbeck House Care Home

Healthwatch Cumbria conducted an Enter and View on Powbeck House Care Home, Cumbria, a council owned nursing home . The visit was conducted on 15th May 2017.

Powbeck House is a local authority owned residential home, consisting of 38 beds, 16 of which are specifically for EMI / dementia residents. The home also has a day centre service.

The visit was arranged as part of Healthwatch Cumbria's enter and view schedule.

Observation by the enter and view representatives reported that:

The reception area was clean, tidy, and uncluttered. There was an easily accessible visitor signing in and out book, and a hand gel dispenser on the wall but unfortunately this did not work. The manager thought it may have required batteries and said she would get this checked.

All rooms, lounges and communal areas were clean and homely , one resident describing the home as “a home from home” .

staff were observed interacting with the residents in a very genuine, effortless manner. It was clear that staff, many of whom had been there many years, enjoyed and took pride in their job.

There is a separate living area for residents with dementia - the Rosemary Lonning unit.

The manager carried out customer care surveys regularly for residents and carers/family members/visitors.

There was a good activities rota and the day centre part of the home provides activities 3 days per week.

The garden areas were well kept, with wooden seating and we were advised that umbrellas were used when the sun was shining.

Residents seemed happy with the food provided stating choice and quality was very good.

When Healthwatch Cumbria recommended that signage used for the Rosemary Lonning unit be used for the rest of the home , the care home agreed and stated they would follow the recommendation.