Enter and view: Blackrod House Residential Care Home

Healthwatch Bolton undertook an Enter and View visit of Blackrod House Residential Care Home on 7 September 2016. During the visit they spoke to 4 members of staff and 3 residents of the care home.

The home was clean and free from any unpleasant or artificial smell and a good standard of hygiene is being maintained. The overall impression of the building was a busy but homely feel with lots of pictures and tactile artwork mounted on the walls along the corridors.

The building is arranged over three floors; the ground floor being residential and the first and second floor housing the dementia unit. Everyone has access to a dementia friendly patio and garden area where residents can sit out in warmer weather to enjoy the sunshine and flower beds.

All areas appeared fit for purpose. The corridor of each floor is painted a different colour to help with orientation. Each bedroom door is painted a different colour with the colour theme going in to the room. Doors display room number, photograph and name of resident and at the wall at the side there is a memory display box.

All bathroom doors are blue, communal doors raspberry and ‘disappearing doors’ are blended the same as the wall colour i.e. key coded doors. The majority of rooms are ensuite.

Residents with mobility issues are housed on the ground or first floor which has access to a small quiet lounge, hair salon, well equipped sensory room, 1950s themed reminiscence lounge, a lively activity room and a dining room. The second floor has access to a lounge and an open roof terrace. A fan heater was plugged in on the second floor corridor, which could be a trip hazard.

All the residents we saw appeared well dressed, clean and tidy and were happy with their personal care.

The report contains five recommendations.