Enter and view: Appletree Court Care Home

Healthwatch Barnet conducted an announced Enter and View visit undertaken by Healthwatch Barnet’s E&V Volunteers, as part of a planned strategy to look at a range of care and nursing homes within the London Borough of Barnet to obtain a better idea of the quality of care provided.

Healthwatch Barnet visited Appletree Court Care Home on 10th November 2015.

Healthwatch Barnet came away with some mixed impressions, based on facts obtained from staff, relatives and residents and their own observation whilst going around. The report highlights the management style was seen to be very hands on and enthusiastic (this was also commented on by several staff), but was felt by some to be overwhelming and potentially undermining of an individual’s self-confidence. The reports comments the majority of residents were not able to comment on their care and accommodation, but the Healthwatch Barnet saw no evidence to cause concern about their wellbeing, with the possible exception of those unable to leave their rooms. Healthwatch Barnet felt that the staff interacted with the residents in a pleasant manner but got the impression that they would interact more if time permitted. Healthwatch Barnet were concerned that the home appears to be run on a very tight budget given the very challenging nature of many of its residents and that this may be inhibiting the manager from making improvements.

This report contains 9 recommendation in relation to theme around involvement, activities, staffing, training and safeguarding.