Enter and view: Old Gates Care Home

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen Enter and View representatives conducted an unannounced Enter and View visit at Old Gates Care Home Friday 2 February 2018 at 1.20 pm – 4.20 pm to collect views directly from residents, staff and carers/families on their experience of this care home.

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen spoke to 6 residents and 22 staff members including 1 Care Home Manager and undertook 2 observations. The key findings were: Most of the residents rated the staff as very good or excellent. Residents said the staff don’t always respond promptly to them and did not always treat them with dignity and respect. There were mixed responses from residents about involvement in planning their care with some residents involved and other residents were not involved. All residents said they had a choice about when to get up and go to bed, choices at mealtimes and opportunities to practise their religion. Residents said Old Gates Care Home has suitable lighting and is well maintained and decorated. 90% of staff would recommend this care home to a friend/relative.

Recommendations are: To move the activity noticeboards to communal areas so that they are more prominent for residents. To increase the signage for the lounge and dining areas throughout Old Gates Care Home. To provide cigarette bins outside the Cherry Unit for residents. To personalise the doors of residents’ rooms in Cherry and Holly Unit. To offer more activities/outings and opportunities for one to one interactions with staff. Further awareness and training for all staff on swift response to residents in professional manner with regard to dignity and respect.