Enter and view: Dothan House

Healthwatch Havering conducted an Enter and View visit on 3rd December 2018 to Dothan House, a residential care home with capacity for up to 19 residents with dementia.

The report found that staff were well trained and were able to undertake training in work time or paid overtime. Training included dementia training and dignity and person centred-care training. Care plans were reviewed every 4-6 weeks and monthly residents meetings were held. The activities were organised by the manager and were fairly limited but included music therapy and arts and crafts. There were a number of infection control measures taken, including providing cleaning cloths, coloured buckets and mops and deep cleaning of chairs. Residents were registered with a GP and a chiropodist visits monthly. There had been issues of late where wrong discharge letters had been sent to the home and staff reported that the discharge process to and from the hospital was not good. Jugs of water and glasses were available on a small table in the lounge but no resident was seen to leave their chair at any time during the visit, which lasted several hours. The team felt that the home needed attention and redecoration.

A number of recommendations were made, for example, the shower room should be upgraded; Staff should be trained in treating residents with respect and dignity; Staff should be reviewed to ensure that their understanding of what they have learned in training is reinforced and applied; If the bar area is to be used by residents, the ruffled-up carpet should be replaced, as it is a trip hazard; and Audio books for the residents could be obtained from the library.

The service provider responded to these recommendations and stated that the recommendations were being addressed, which suggests that Healthwatch Havering's visit has resulted in and positive change and tangible impact.