Enter and view: Youell Court Residential Care Home

Healthwatch Coventry conducted an announced enter and view visit to Youell Court Residential Care Home on 18 August 2015. The visit is part of a wider programme of visits from the perspective ‘would I wish my relative to live here’. The home provides care for residents over 65 years old and those with dementia. On the day of the visit, the team engaged with 4 residents, 4 relatives and 5 staff members using survey and observation methods.

This was a friendly, bright and spacious home. The premises were fit for purpose, clean with no unpleasant odours. The home has a Christian ethos as it is a Salvation Army home but anyone is welcome there regardless of religious beliefs. Staff were friendly and approachable. At the time of the visit, there was no official manager. The Head of Care was acting manager. The team identified that there could be more staff on duty. The team found that the residents looked content. Regular activities and outings are organised by the Activities Coordinator and residents are encouraged to take part. Staff, residents and relatives expressed that they did not like the meals for residents being prepared off-site. Apart from the third floor, which the team considered to be dementia friendly, the rest of the home’s signage was in small print with no pictures.

The report made a number of recommendations including the consideration of using different colour schemes when the home is due for refurbishment, for the signage to be reviewed, and for the home to conduct a resident and relative satisfaction review of the catering. It also suggested that, as per the consensus of the residents and staff, that the home’s layout does not change with refurbishment, for staff to undergo face to face training, and for the suggestion box to be reintroduced.

The service provider responded to the report suggesting that they are undergoing improvements in line with the recommendations.