Enter and View: Glenthorne No2 Care Home

Healthwatch Lancashire conducted an announced Enter and View on Glenthorne No2 Care Home, a privately owned Care Home with 15 places on 14 Nov 2017.

The visit was arranged as part of Healthwatch Lancashire's Enter and View schedule.

Observation by the Enter and View representatives reported that the external and internal environments to be of concern in terms of health and safety, staffing levels and observations of comfort and homeliness. Enter and View representatives observed staff to have positive relationships with residents however it was noted that the levels of staffing were low with residents being left unattended at times. Relatives spoken to were positive about the level of care in the home however, residents were slightly less so. Representatives were informed by staff that residents were given menus to choose meals for the following day and that the home facilitated activities for residents however the representatives were unable to see any evidence of menus or activities taking place.

The home had been undergoing a period of refurbishment and it was observed that building materials were being stored in communal areas with fire extinguishers being stored in offices rather than in public areas leading to concerns around health and safety.

Residents' comments were: that they would like to have some activities provided; that the staff were generally friendly but that the home was understaffed; their bedrooms were nice.

Healthwatch Lancashire did not make any recommendations but rated the care home using a traffic light system and based on their criteria gave a rating of Red which means their representatives would not be happy to choose this home for a loved one unless significant improvements were made.

The Care Home manager's response expressed disappointment in the observations and extended an invitation for Healthwatch Lancashire to revisit the care home at a later date to see more of the refurbishment work completed.