Enter and view: Barleycroft Care Home

Healthwatch Havering conducted two enter and view visits to Barleycroft Care Home (now owned by the Abbey Healthcare Group), on 29th March and 23rd May, 2017.

The HW team had already visited this home, in February and September 2014 and January 2016, and a visit was also carried out in December 2016 but (for reasons beyond their control) the visiting team was unable to complete it and no report was published.

The March visit was intended to cover the unfinished visit in December 2016. The purpose of the May visit was primarily to follow-up the March visit.

Visit in March: The team felt that the décor needed attention and an uncovered heater raised concerns. Many other parts of the house including the kitchen and bathroom were in need of attention. A resident was left to eat her cold porridge and the beds were without duvet covers. There was no evidence of staff training and a lack of activities. The team formed the impression that the home lacked the resources (both human and financial) to carry out the degree of both current maintenance and refurbishment that appeared to be needed. The team also felt that there was a risk that some staff members lacked sufficient command of English to enable them to communicate meaningfully with residents and visitors.

Visit in May: This visit was unannounced as a follow up from March, but the team were warmly welcomed by the Manager. The number of residents at the home had risen to 50 from 38. The Manager answered questions and explained the current setup of the home such as residents receiving nursing care were moved to the ground floor. A resident had a pet bird and the activity coordinator brought in her dog which made most residents happy.

The maintenance assistant was working in a number of roles within the home and was expected to maintain the fairly large gardens as well as carry out all regular maintenance tasks which the ream felt was unrealistic.

The team that carried out these visits felt that the home needed thorough refurbishment. Accordingly, they recommended that:

• All communal areas and bathrooms be redecorated, and modernised and extractor fans replaced.

• New furniture be provided and damaged paintwork to doors and frames be rectified and metal door guards provided. The colour scheme should provide contrasting colours for the benefit of those who live with dementia.

• The large garden be given a reasonable makeover and safety check, that new tables and chairs be provided and generally tidied up.

•Ensure staff are available for the workload that is presented, and training is up to date

• Ensure that all staff employed have a sufficient command of English to enable them to communicate meaningfully with residents and visitors.

• More activities be provided for those residents who receive only residential care.