Enter and view: Ashgables House

Healthwatch Wiltshire conducted an announced Enter and View visit on the 28th November 2018 to Ashgables House. Ashgables House is a care home for people with mental health needs and/or a learning disability and provides personal care for up to 26 residents. Five members of staff and four residents were interviewed during the visit to gather their feedback alongside observations of the home.

The home had three units. One was clean but in need of redecoration, the other two were more welcoming. Residents reported that care was tailored to individual needs and that they were happy living in the home with staff that treated them well. An activities coordinator ran a number of activities, and residents reported that staff arranged outings for them as well. There is a choice of two main meals at lunchtime but if a resident does not like either of these the cook offers to make alternatives. There is a monthly service users’ meeting and an annual residents’ satisfaction survey. Additionally, there was also an easy to read complaints poster with pictures of staff to speak to if a resident had a complaint. The residents are registered with local GP surgeries, who provide home visits on a monthly basis. Medication is dispensed by a local pharmacy once a month. The prescriptions are provided with the resident's photographs to reduce drug errors. There is a local optician who visits the home and two residents commented on how helpful they were. It was reported that there is a low staff turnover but on occasion agency workers have been used. Staff also reported that they aim to do everything in the individual resident’s interest with a strong team spirit between members of staff.

Healthwatch Wiltshire made three recommendations to the home based on their findings. These included that the home should consider refreshing the decor in the communal areas of Unit 3; Continue to request up to date and unscratched DVDs and magazines from the local community for the use of residents; and consider the need for some nursing beds for older people with mental health needs in the care home due to rising numbers in the local population.

The service provider responded positively and addressed the recommendations made in the report.