Feedback on new care home specifications

This is a report published by Healthwatch Coventry 17 August, 2016.

The report focuses on member and steering group responses to 'I statements' to be used in new care home specification documents.

Healthwatch members were surveyed and a focus group of 6 people was held to gather feedback. No details on the total surveys are given.

Several recommendations are made. No response was given by the Local Authority or CCG that requested the work.

Summary of recommendations:

The document should be proof read as there are lots of typing errors and issues of flow. Acronyms and medical/technical terms should be explained or replaced with alternative wording. Plainer English can be used in a number of places as we have highlighted.

There should be more emphasis on residents being enabled to make their own choices within the ‘I statements’ and the measures. (We have highlighted a number of places where changing wording would help with this).

There should be more emphasis on maintaining independence in residential settings, we do not think this is addressed enough by the measures.

Content must be added to each of the measures to ensure that those whose first language is not English, or with cultural or faith needs are catered for in each of the outcomes. LGBT awareness should also be reflected.

Good practice regarding dementia friendly design should be a basic requirement for all homes irrespective of their designation –this is easy and cheap to do and includes labelling rooms and taps, contrasting decor etc.This should be included as a requirement in the core specification as it benefits residents, staff and management.

Access to outside space should be covered in the core specification as well as the dementia specification. The focus should be the outcome rather than a set amount of time outside as this may turn into a tick box exercise and not be person centred.

Ensure that the value of activities and one to one interaction is reflected in the outcomes for residents. Also ensure that managers have identified how to make sure there is time for this amongst day to day care and tasks.

The ‘I statements’ should be made available to care home residents and their families, friends and should be clearly displayed in a communal space in all care homes.

Add a measure regarding homes displaying information about Healthwatch Coventry so that residents and their families/friends are aware of Healthwatch and our role in championing the interests of those using social care services.