Enter and view: Beaumont Park Care Home, Bedfordshire

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire conducted an announced Enter and View visit on 28th January 2015 to Beaumont Park Care Home. The home, which is owned by Healthcare Homes Group, has 46 beds for people living with dementia, those needing long term nursing and end of life care. Residents as well as several relatives and members of staff were engaged with using survey and observational methods.

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 including if they appeared to be soporific. All the staff seen and spoken to during the visit were friendly and helpful to the representatives and to the residents they were observed interacting with. Staff clearly knew the residents well, using their first names. The residents spoken to stated they were comfortable in the home and quite happy. The staff appeared to be well trained and representatives were confident the residents were well cared for. Agency staff are rarely used. Some members of staff indicated that staffing levels could be increased for the benefit of residents. It was recommended that the home consider this. Residents and relatives spoken to were happy with the meals commenting that the standard and variety of food served was very good. Representatives felt the menu was balanced and nutritious and mealtimes were suitable for the residents. Representatives met and observed the two activities co-ordinators employed by the home. They noted that they were extremely proactive and dedicated when engaging with residents. Representatives were impressed by their levels of enthusiasm when they were interviewed. The activities co-ordinators also received high praise from both relatives and residents.

It was 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.

The service provider responded positively to the report and its recommendations thanking the team for being professional.