Enter and View: the Health Visitor Services at The Bluebird Centre in Didcot

Healthwatch Oxfordshire visited the Health Visitors Service at The Bluebell Centre in Didcot as part of a series of visits to services within Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OUH). In addition to visiting The Bluebell Centre Healthwatch Oxfordshire also observed a weekly clinic being held at the nearby Northern Neighbourhood Community Centre.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire heard from five parents/carers and 10 staff members as a result of the visit.

Key findings

• The service is run  by a highly skilled, caring and committed staff team.
• Parents/carers valued the care and support they received.
• The Bluebell Centre was clean and tidy despite the space constraints of the building and there is clear directional signage from the car park to the main entrance and inside The Bluebell Centre.
• The Bluebell Centre has a comprehensive range of information, well presented in all consulting rooms.
• The waiting room at The Bluebell Centre was too small to maintain confidentiality. 
• The toilets were clean and designed with full support to create a comfortable environment for children.
• A suggestion box is not available for visitors and family members at either The Bluebell Centre or Northern Neighbourhood Community Centre. 
• There are no translated materials, leaflets or information on display at either centre.
• There is no CQC report on display at The Bluebell Centre.

Recommendations

• Display a suggestion box at the waiting areas of The Bluebell Centre and the clinic at the Northern Neighbourhood Community Centre with information on how parents/carers can give feedback. 
• Provide parent-facing information highlighting access to interpreters at both centres.
• Provide translated materials and copies of essential leaflets at both centres.
• The Care Quality Commission report should be displayed in The Bluebell Centre
• Consideration should be given to finding a more suitable space for clinic’s currently being held at the Northern Neighbourhood Centre to better meet the needs of the service users. The centre was not big enough to accommodate the number of people attending and had no suitable private space for parents/carers to talk through any issues/problems in a confidential area.

The Executive Managing Director of Primary, Community and Dental Care at Oxford Health responded to the report with an action plan drawn up by service teams to address the recommendations. Some of these actions have already been completed.