Enter and view: Branston Court Care Home, Staffordshire

Healthwatch Staffordshire conducted an Enter and View visit on Branston Court Care Home, a nursing home with 45 places caring for adults under and over 65 years with varying needs, on 1st August 2017.

The purpose of the visit was to check on the following:

- staffing levels, including agency usage and morale

- the impact of not having a permanent manager

- quality of care and activities

- staff training including on challenging behaviour

- whether there has been a reduction in safeguarding issues

- noise levels on first floor.

The Enter and View representatives reported:

- the home is a two-storey purpose-built building in excellent condition with an attractive enclosed garden area;

- internally the home was in the process of being re-decorated; the décor, furnishing and lighting was all to a high standard;

- there had been a number of recent changes in management – a new Manager had been appointed but was not yet in post;

- 3 agency staff and 2 bank staff are used;

- regular meetings with residents and relatives have been introduced recently;

- a new call-bell system was being installed during the visit;

- the home employs two activity coordinators and representatives observed and heard evidence of a range of meaningful and stimulating activities;

- menus provided choice for all courses of all meals, food at lunchtime looked appetising and assistance was provided where necessary;

- care staff took a compassionate and person-centred approach in their interactions with residents;

- a Local Safeguarding Enquiry is currently taking place in relation to two residents with challenging behaviour which needs to be resolved as soon as possible;

- the number of staff on the ground floor appeared satisfactory; one carer said there were not enough staff on the first floor due to 2 residents with challenging behaviour taking up all the time of 2 carers;

- overall the home provides a good, caring environment.

One relative expressed reasonable satisfaction with the home.

Staff commented:

- enthusiastically about their work;

- that they were all receiving additional dementia training.

The report made no recommendations but suggested a follow up visit to check safeguarding issues have been resolved and the appointment of a new permanent manager has restored stability.

The provider responded positively to the visit and commented that the visit helped them to identify agency usage as an area for improvement.