Enter and view: wave three

Healthwatch East Sussex reported on the third wave of Enter and View visits to care homes in the local area. A total of 43 care homes were visited. The focus of the visits was on choice and independence, as these are key issues for people who move into care homes. Healthwatch East Sussex particularly looked at how residents were offered choices, such as at mealtimes and where to spend their day, and what residents felt were the best things about being in a care home and any improvements they could suggest.

Key themes identified in this work were: activities; residents being able to make choices; residents being able to help and be involved in the home; access to the community and outdoor areas; level of homeliness and personal possessions; residents being aware of their care plan; and positive comments about the quality of care. Residents were overwhelmingly positive about the care and support they received, and were particularly positive about the care staff.

Healthwatch East Sussex made nine recommendations - nearly all of which were suggestions for care homes to incorporate some of the examples of very good practice identified through the Enter and View visits. Greater use of pictures, such as pictorial menus and activity information, was identified as something all services could utilise more widely.