Enter and view: Sycamore Care Centre
Download (PDF 1.24 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Sunderland conducted an Enter and View visit in April 2019 to Sycamore Care Centre. The home provides residential, Enduring Mental Ill Health residential, general nursing, EMI nursing and palliative care to up to 113 residents. Questionnaires were completed by 3 residents, 3 staff members and 5 relatives alongside observations of the home. Nine indicators were used to evaluate the home.
The report found that the management was well established and relatives felt their comments were taken on board. Residents commented that the staff are friendly and caring but that they did not, necessarily, have the time to interact properly. Residents gave mixed responses regarding whether staff had good knowledge of each resident and their changing needs. There is a dedicated activities coordinator who encourages residents to get involved with the activities each day. However, residents often reported that they rarely felt up to getting involved. When the Healthwatch Team asked residents about the quality and choice of food, the majority of resident respondents said that food at Sycamore Care Centre is okay. A range of health professionals visit the residents on a regular basis. There was a mixed response regarding whether the home accommodates residents' personal, cultural and lifestyle needs. There are opportunities to give feedback from residents and their relatives to the management. The home is clean and tidy but aspects are not necessarily dementia friendly, such as a small clock and no notice board with the date/weather report.
No recommendations were made in the report.