Enter and view: Catterall House Care Home

Healthwatch Lancashire undertook an announced enter and view visit to Catterall House Care Home on 28 March 2025.  They spoke to 13 people.

The care home has the capacity for 24 residents. At the time of the visit there were 19 people residing at the home. Catterall House Care Home is located in Catterall, to the north of Preston and close to the town of Garstang. 

The home is situated in a large converted house set in spacious grounds, with good road access and parking. The care home caters for over 55s who have dementia/Alzheimer’s, long-term (enduring) mental health illness and older people needing day to day support. 

The care home team are currently considering extending services to younger people with dementia/Alzheimer’s as they have identified that there is a demand for this type of care. However, they are currently in the process of carrying out research before determining if this is feasible. 

The care home is in need of some minor improvement work including the car park which is in poor repair, some external freshening up and replacement of some frayed carpets in the staff only areas. It would also benefit from more artwork, photographs or such in communal spaces to create a more vibrant, stimulating environment. 

Catterall House Care Home has extensive grounds and it was felt by the Healthwatch Lancashire representatives that these are currently underutilised and there is opportunity for further outdoor activities such as gardening. It is also recommended that the outdoor spaces are made more accessible for residents by reducing some of the existing walls which currently act as barriers. 

At the time of the visit the majority of the residents were in the lounge areas, with some activities being carried out including a card game and Movement to Music. Several of the residents spoken with were deemed not to have capacity to understand what was being asked or recall their day due to having dementia/Alzheimer’s. However, those who were able to provide feedback were positive of their care and were praising of the staff and food, and liked their rooms. 

Two relatives were visiting at the time of the visit and were seen to be welcomed and involved. The relatives spoken with felt that the care home provides a good quality of care, and both relatives felt well informed about their loved ones. One family member suggested a Facebook page or similar where relatives can see what their loved ones have been involved in, access quick updates, etc. 

Staff spoken with felt able to provide person-centred care, feel well supported by management and sufficiently trained in order to carry out their roles. One staff member commented that they would like to build on resident, relative and local involvement in order to create a further sense of community. 

All staff stated that they would recommend the care home to a close relative. Observations showed good staff and patient interactions, with staff appearing to know the residents well. Staff were encouraging with residents to participate in activities and to socialise with each other.