Enter and view: Kingston Rehabilitation Centre

Healthwatch Kingston upon Thames undertook an unannounced enter and view visit to Kingston Rehabilitation Centre. It followed concerns reported about inappropriate behaviour from staff while undertaking personal care. During the visit, these reports were not substantiated. The manager told us that due to the nature of their neurodisability, staff interventions involving personal care could sometimes be misconstrued by a resident.

The service supports adults of all ages and specialises in neurological rehabilitation and complex care, and as such is a very different provision to the other homes KWK have visited. Residents at KRC have traumatic or acquired brain injuries or acquired spinal cord injuries. The provision has a focus on rehabilitation with a view to the individual returning to the community where possible.

 Alongside their neurodisability, many of the residents are also coming to terms with the life-changing experience they have been through. Most of the residents are under 65 years of age. Residents at KRC are reviewed every two weeks for the first eight weeks of their placement at KRC. At the end of this period a decision is made about the future trajectory for their care. Many of the residents during our visit were long term, some expecting to remain at KRC for many years, others looking to rehabilitate and leave to go to a different provision, or back to the community.

Overall, Healthwatch concluded that KRC was a well-run home with caring staff and a strong focus on the care and safety of the residents. The residents who were able to talk said that they were happy with their care, and with the staff. Healthwatch observed the staff demonstrating awareness and knowledge of each resident’s needs and maintaining a calm and friendly demeanour. The staff were alert to the residents’ needs throughout the visit.