Enter and view: The Close Care Home, Burcot

Healthwatch Oxfordshire undertook an Enter and View visit to the Close Care Home on 11 January 2024. Healthwatch Oxfordshire commenced a programme of planned Enter and View visits to Care Homes in Oxfordshire to look at the quality of life of residents from a resident, care, and relative point of view. The visit to The Close Care Home was part of this programme as a planned visit. Healthwatch spoke to nine members of staff, two residents and three family members on the day of the visit.

The care home is an excellent and happy care home with amazing facilities, and an obvious caring and person-centred approach.  The care centre’s staff and the environment were very welcoming. The Close Care Home is managed by a dedicated staff team whose aim is to deliver excellent person-centred care and who work hard to make it possible. 

Healthwatch observed an animated and engaging atmosphere in the entertainment room, a singer/guitarist was performing. That combined with the staff's encouragement and individualised attention, reflects a holistic approach to providing meaningful and inclusive entertainment for the residents. 

The welcoming and cheerful nature of the staff had a profound impact on the overall atmosphere within the care home. Their positive attitude contributed to the residents' happiness, comfort, and well-being, and fostering a sense of community and positivity within the care home environment. 

They noticed a resident who assists with maintenance jobs and had a maintenance team uniform and toolbox. Another resident was helping to deliver clean laundry in the short stay hub, exemplifying the meaningful engagement of residents in activities that align with their interests and abilities. 

The approach of furnishing and decorating residents' rooms with a combination of accessible furniture and items from their former homes, along with personal photos and souvenirs, reflects a commitment to promoting personalised, comfortable, and emotionally enriching living spaces within the care home. This approach supports the residents' individual identities and contributes to a sense of familiarity. 

The dementia residents' sitting room at The Close is thoughtfully designed to provide a comforting and interactive environment for its residents. 

The presence of voting tubes by the reception area, where residents can place balls to provide feedback on the types of activities they would like, reflects a proactive approach to engaging residents in decision-making and activity planning within the care home. However, there is no suggestion box for visitors and relatives to leave comment or suggestions.

In every resident's room and communal rooms there is a book of staff photos and information called 'Welcome to Your Close Care Home Family'. 

There is a QR code available on the activities board, allowing residents and their families to leave reviews at carehome.co.uk. 

The care home's willingness to care for individuals with rare conditions or complex combinations of illnesses, underscores its commitment to inclusivity and expertise in managing diverse healthcare needs. 

There is a hospital hub with 15 stepdown beds, overseen by a senior John Radcliffe Hospital nurse. 

The care home has a staffing ratio of 1:2.5 (staff to residents), which was described as one of the highest in Oxfordshire. 

There is a Bistro-like a café for residents to use and take guests. It is open 9am -5pm, seven days a week. It has a licenced bar, and coffee machine, and low prices (cost + 5%). Photos of the staff who made food items are included on the packaging. 

The Close actively recruits staff from overseas, sponsoring visas and providing pastoral care and accommodation for staff.  Residents and family members had praise for the staff and valued the care and support they received. Residents and family members generally feel able to raise concerns with the staff team verbally about their loved one’s treatment and care. 

 Clear and visible external signage is essential for The Close Care Home, it appears there has been some confusion with the signage at the main road when people are trying to locate the care home. However, it once inside the home, the signage was clear. It's important to ensure that the signage is clear and easily visible from the main road to assist visitors in locating the care home. 

There is no hearing loop for the home, but some residents have specific hearing loops in their rooms, others have manual hearing loops. 

The care home website does not include much information about the services provided and information about what activities take place at the care home.

The report contains four recommendations and a response from the provider.