Enter and view: Nightingale House, Richmond

A Private Residential Care Home located in central Twickenham, situated near the River Thames and close to public transport. It has accommodation for 21 residents.

The areas for focus were:

• Residents’ views on life at Nightingale House

• The views of residents’ families and friends

• Staff’s views on working at Nightingale House

• Support for residents in the home

• Improvements in the accommodation.

During the visit the Healthwatch Richmond team spoke to 8 residents, 1 relative and 5 staff members as well as the Manager and Deputy Manager.

Findings:

• A welcoming atmosphere in the home.

• Observed that good care was taking place for the residents and evidence of good relationships and good communication between the staff and the residents.

• New Manager had been in post for 8 weeks.

Outcomes:

• Nightingale House should continue to update their care planning process and ensure residents and relatives are involved.

• Nightingale House should continue to introduce measures to reduce the incidence of falls.

• The Manager and owner should inform Healthwatch Richmond when the works to comply with the Fire Safety Enforcement Order are complete.

• The Manager’s plan for more regular Relatives Meetings should continue and every effort should be made to involve as many relatives as possible.

• All the notices should be produced in large print and should be bolder and brighter to attract attention.

• Nightingale House should inform us when they have completed the development of the lounge annexe area.

• Nightingale House should carry on investigating a secondary call bell display.

• Healthwatch Richmond will follow up the issue raised by Nightingale House of the District Nursing Team’s failure to attend booked appointments.

• Healthwatch Richmond would welcome the opportunity to re-visit Nightingale House in six months’ time.

• Follow up visit July 2017.