Enter and View: Canal Vue Care Home

Healthwatch Derbyshire conducted an announced Enter and View visit to Canal Vue Care Home, a nursing home that cares for older people, people with physical disabilities, people with sensory impairments and people with Dementia, on 28th February 2015.

This visit was done in response to concerns raised by Derbyshire County Council and at the Derbyshire Quality Surveillance Group. The visit was mainly observational, however, Healthwatch team approached residents to ask them about their experiences of living in the care home, when and where appropriate.

The care home was found to be modern, tidy and bright and well maintained; however the ambiance was not welcoming and did not give a sense of homeliness and personality.

There was a lack of information and signage throughout the building. The representatives observed some examples of poor health and safety standards, while some aspects of cleanliness needed to be addressed. There was an unpleasant smell in some areas too.

Examples of preserving dignity and respect were observed during the visit.

More assistance during mealtimes, hot drinks not available on request, and no vegetarian choice routinely offered were some other issues found by the team. The fact that the home is spread over three floors, with dementia residents on the 1st and 2nd floors, presents challenges to the staff in allowing residents to not being confined to certain areas.

Staff were observed to be polite, respectful and friendly.

There was a sense of enthusiasm about the revitalisation of the care home now it was under new management. The morale and hopes for even more alterations and improvements were obviously felt by the team. The team also met with the new care home Manager and the Nurse in charge.

A long and detailed list of recommendations by Healthwatch are included in the report.

The service provider responded to most of the points with action to be taken on the rest.