Enter and view: Meadowbanks Care Home

Healthwatch Havering conducted an Enter and View visit to Meadowbanks Care Home, a residential care home with 40 beds, on the 14 December 2017.

As this home offers only residential care, to people over 65 who are living with dementia or are physically frail, a registered nurse is not employed but a District Nurse visits when needed. Staff are fully trained in palliative care, which is tailored to each resident’s needs, and in resuscitation. The home’s has an assigned GP nearby, home visits are arranged for eye care, dentist, and physiotherapy when required. The chiropodist attends every six weeks. A hairdresser attends weekly and there was a dedicated salon for this purpose.

The activities programme with numerous events (including contributions by a choir, local scouts, church, W.I. and Campion School), day trips and special occasions fully celebrated. There are about 20 visitors a day, along with regular visits by three PAT dogs, and Healthwatch Havering Authorised Representatives observed good rapport between residents and staff. Residents and relatives spoken to offered very positive comments about the staff and the care received.

One negative observation was that there were a high number of falls with staff reporting, on average 7 per week.

The one recommendation made following this visit was that consideration be given as to whether better arrangements for falls management are needed.