Enter and view: Hope House Care Clayton-le-Moors

Healthwatch Lancashire undertook this Enter and View on Wednesday 19 July 2023 and spoke to six residents, seven staff members and one relative.

Hope House provides accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care and treatment of disease, disorder or injury. It also caters for residents with physical disabilities and residents who are under 65 years of age. The home did not have any residents living with dementia at the time of our visit, but there were some adaptations noted to make the home more dementia friendly.

The home has recently transferred from the ownership of Larchwood to the Dovehaven group. This has meant that the home is currently in the process of updating its systems and policies, with the most recent update being that the home is now using Person Centred Care (PCS) hand-held devices to make notes and observations about residents’ care. There is capacity for 38 residents with 35 in residence at the time of the visit. The premises was undergoing some cosmetic changes with rooms being updated and some external areas of the home being renovated. Healthwatch representatives were informed that the flooring in hallways was due to be updated with the carpets being replaced by woodeffect flooring. There are three communal areas for residents to use and there is access to the local park which is situated directly across the road from the home. There are outdoor spaces to the front and rear of the home for residents to access.

At the time of the visit, residents were observed taking part in activities involving animals that had been brought in for them to interact with. There was a puppy and some chicks which the residents were enjoying holding and stroking. There were relatives paying visits to their loved ones at the time of the visit.

Access to the home was secure with keycode access to the different areas of the home. Staff were seen assisting residents with limited mobility around the home. Disabled access was catered for with level access to outdoor areas and a lift between the two floors of the home. All communal areas were clean and free from clutter. Equipment was observed to be safely stowed with any hazardous materials being kept in clearly marked and locked trolleys or cupboards. During the visit the home was staffed by six carers, one senior carer, a full-time nurse and the management team.