Enter and view: Mill Hayes Residential Home

Healthwatch Staffordshire conducted an Enter and View Visit to Mill Hayes Residential Home on 5 March 2018. The visit was carried out as a follow up to a previous visit conducted in August 2017.

Since the original visit, there had been a CQC inspection that upheld the findings of Healthwatch Staffordshire's original report, around the poor building maintenance at the Home. The CQC also found that, while some improvements had been made, there were few activities available for residents to take part in. Healthwatch Staffordshire planned the follow up visit to review the progress made on building maintenance, but in the light of the CQC report, decided to additionally review the areas highlighted as requiring improvement.

The follow up visit found that, following the failure to sell the Home, the owner has now employed the services of a Consultant to assist with improving conditions at the home. The Enter and View Authorised Representatives reported that the maintenance issues had been resolved and all empty bedrooms had been redecorated, re-carpeted and had new sinks fitted. New bedding and curtains have been supplied and the bedding is now personalised to individual residents and, where appropriate, new furniture has been bought.

As well as refreshing the bedding and soft furnishings, the manager has purchased activity supplies including games and jigsaws. There is now a care worker charged with coordinating activities as part of their role. There has been a new kitchen installed and residents said that the food was good.

The Enter and View Authorised Representatives noted that the atmosphere in the Home was warmer than when they visited previously, and also reported that the positive changes in staff attitudes and in the physical environment were evident upon entering the building.