Enter and view: Ashgreen House Residential and Nursing Home

Healthwatch Greenwich undertook an unannounced enter and view visit to Ashgreen House Residential and Nursing Home on 17 January 2020 as part of a programme of visiting local care homes. They spoke to 9 residents, 3 members of staff, and the Care Home Manager.

Healthwatch Greenwich had a number of concerns about the home. Clutter in communal areas, unattended maintenance equipment, personal belongings on the inside of the nurse’ station door restricting visibility of residents through the window when the door is closed, and easily assessible broken equipment provide evidence of weak health and safety practices, poor management of refurbishment activity, and lack of thorough risk assessments, increasing risk to resident’s safety.

Healthwatch noted that there appeared to be a somewhat hostile working environment which they felt might have an impact on residents’ experience of care.  They were also concerned that digital care plans didn’t work for all members of staff, increasing the workload for other members of staff, limiting time to care for residents.

Resident views on meals offered at the home are mixed. Healthwatch were told the menu rarely changes, suggesting it does not always meet residents’ needs.

The report contains 7 recommendations about improving health and safety practices, maintenance and hygiene, reviewing confidentiality processes, care home documentation, catering, personalised bedroom doors and improving staff dynamics.

The report contains a detailed response from the provider to the findings and recommendations.