Enter and view: Washington Lodge Care Home

Healthwatch Sunderland conducted an Enter and View visit to Washington Lodge care home in February 2019. The home offers care to up to 61 people with physical ailments needing nursing care, as well as residential care for residents with dementia and challenging behaviours. Questionnaires were given to residents, staff and visitors, and observations were used to gather information about the environment and staff/resident interactions.

Residents, visitors, and staff gave mixed responses when referring to the management as they would like to see her be more visible in the home. Residents and visitors commented that the staff members were caring but are extremely busy. The Activities Coordinator also commented that she did not have time to deliver a varied programme of activities as she is asked to do other tasks, such as cleaning. All of the relatives and the friend who responded to the survey process agreed that all of the permanent staff at the home know their relatives or friend well. Activities are offered at the home including dementia friendly tasks. There was a mixed response from residents about quality, choice and flexibility around food and mealtimes. Residents and visitors were satisfied with the healthcare provision at the home, as residents are visited by chiropodists, opticians, and dentists. It was reported that residents' needs were accommodated for, but some aspects, such as the laundry system could be improved. Residents and visitors commented that they know how to raise a complaint. Residents are visitors reported that the home was always clean and tidy and that there were dementia friendly signs around the home. 

No recommendations were made in this report.