Enter and view: Ashton Lodge, Bedfordshire

Healthwatch Bedfordshire conducted an announced Enter and View visit on 10 February 2015 to Ashton Lodge Care Home. The home provides care for people with dementia, those with long term conditions, frailty and end of life care. 4 residents as well as several relatives and 4 members of staff were spoken to. general observations of the home were also recorded.

The findings show that at the time of the visit, the home was operating to a good standard of care with regard to dignity and respect with staff interacting with residents positively and regularly. Residents looked tidy, clean and well cared for, representatives saw no evidence of dignity not being respected. The most important aspects of the home, according to some residents, were feeling warm, safe and secure; the friendliness of staff and other residents; the cleanliness of the home and engagement with the staff. Residents spoken to were generally happy with the meals, the menu was balanced and nutritious, and mealtimes were suitable for the residents. Representatives observed activity co-ordinators engaging fully and enthusiastically with residents; their efforts were highly praised both by the residents and their relatives. Representatives noted that some of the corridors were fairly narrow and could give restrictive access to the passage of people and wheelchairs/hoists etc. Some concerns were raised by residents, relatives and a few staff members, that there was currently insufficient care staff, particularly during the night shift. The concerns related to the size of the home, operating over three floors and the level of care needed.

As a result, a recommendation was made to engage additional care staff, particularly during the night shift. It was also recommended that the report be shared with residents and their relatives to allow them the opportunity to comment further should they wish to do so.

Whilst the reports states that the management of the home was attentive to all suggestions for improvement, Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire did not receive a response to the report’s recommendations from the service provider despite reminders over the three months following the visit.