Enter and view: The Croft Care Home

Healthwatch Buckinghamshire conducted an Enter and View visit to The Croft Care Home in February 2019. This was carried out as part of a series of Enter and Views for the Dignity in Care programme. The Croft provides residential care for 45 older people, the majority of whom live with dementia. They interviewed 18 residents, 2 visitors and 4 members of staff and observed another 5 residents, 1 visitor and 5 staff.

Observations included that staff supported residents well but general conversation between staff and residents during mealtimes was not observed. The representatives observed that staff knocked on doors and entered without waiting for permission. Some complaints were made by residents about the food during lunchtime and a range of drinks were available to all residents. The home was homely and clean with pictorial signs on doors to facilities. The activity schedule involved mainly arts & crafts or discussion groups, with no physical activities. Residents reported that the food was variable in taste and how it was cooked. Relatives reported that they were satisfied with the care and dignity of care that was being provided,

A number of recommendations were made by the Healthwatch representatives including: improvements to the quality of the food being cooked; continue to push the landlord of the property hard to complete outstanding maintenance work; introduce regular chair-based activities to maintain / improve mobility; continue to bring in community groups e.g. local scouts who may be interested in getting involved with the home as part of a Community Impact badge; encourage staff to chat with residents during mealtimes and sit and eat with them when time allows; consider playing background music during mealtimes if the residents would like this; and arrange more trips out.

The service provider responded positively and detailed the steps that have been put into place to rectify the issues highlighted in the report.