Enter and view: Branch Court Care Home

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen undertook an announced enter and view visit to Branch Court Care Home on 8 October 2024.  They spoke to 16 people.

Healthwatch Blackburn with Darwen previously visited Branch Court in March 2023, and since that visit there have been significant positive changes to the home. Renovation and maintenance work that the manager had previously spoken about had been completed and it was pleasant to see the changes and the impact those changes have made on the home.

Throughout the visit Healthwatch witnessed staff to be calm, encouraging and attentive to the residents. It was apparent the staff worked well as a team and that residents appear happy. 

It is clear that the manager is well liked amongst staff, residents and relatives. She informed representatives that she had an open-door policy in the home and this was seen to be true. Both staff and relatives spoke highly of management. One relative reported that while they didn’t know how to make a complaint, they said they knew if they had a problem they could go straight to the manager.

Since the last visit, the garden has now vastly improved, previously it was unusable and overgrown, but now is maintained with seating and garden beds to encourage residents to grow plants. The corridors and bathrooms in the home had also been renovated since the last visit and were a vast improvement. Representatives note that the entrance of the home still needs work, the external environment is still dark and appears unwelcoming – but the manager said it is something they are aware of and are actively looking into. 

The main area for improvement is the activities provided at the home. Bingo is a regular activity with some bored of it and some who do not want to take part. Some residents were asking to do craft activities like sewing and tapestry. Representatives were told the home did have an activity coordinator, who was in Monday-Friday from 10am-3pm. There was no activity taking place during tje visit; however the activity coordinator was on leave that week. 

 In conclusion, Branch Court has undergone many positive changes that have improved not only the environment of the home but the morale of the residents and the staff working in the home. The manager, staff and provider are to be recognised for this achievement.