Enter and view: Chaseview Nursing Home, Staffordshire

Healthwatch Staffordshire conducted an Enter and View visit on Chaseview Nursing Home, a nursing home with 60 places caring for adults under and over 65 years with varying needs, on 31st August 2017.

The purpose of the visit was to follow up on the CQC visit which took place in February 2017 and resulted in an “inadequate” rating and the home being placed in special measures. The concerns raised included:

- insufficient staffing

- the administration of medicines

- lack of dignity for residents

- lack of activities

- lack of visual aids for residents with dementia to help them select meals.

The Enter and View representatives reported:

- the home is a modern purpose built building in relatively good condition with neat gardens and limited parking;

- internally the home was well-furnished and equipped with some refurbishment underway; some corridor areas appeared in need of routine sweeping;

- pictures and information notices were displayed throughout the reception area including notices encouraging visitors, residents and professionals to provide feedback via a touchscreen;

- there appeared to be enough staff on shift on the day of the visit;

- the home is currently heavily reliant on agency staff though there are recruitment plans in place to reduce this;

- residents appeared well-presented and cheerful; staff interacted well with residents;

- several protocols and checks are in place to ensure the correct administration of medicines;

- a full-time Activities Coordinator is employed, and a part-time Activities Coordinator was recently hired;

- a range of activities are available for groups and individual residents including flower arranging, fitness exercises, pet therapy, bingo; a mini-bus is available for outings;

- menus provided a choice of meals and food on the day looked attractive; staff were available at lunchtime to provide assistance with eating as needed;

- a potential data protection issue was identified.

Residents commented positively on the care they received and that they enjoyed the activities at the home.

Relatives commented:

- positively on the staff and care provided at the home;

- the use of agency staff over a period of time was unsettling;

- they were all aware of the recent difficulties the home had gone through.

Staff commented:

- that management were supportive;

- morale had improved;

- not all staff appreciated the new regime;

- that they are frustrated with how long it takes to appoint new staff.

The report made recommendations to:

- share Healthwatch Staffordshire’s report on Activities in Care Homes with the Activities Coordinator;

- train staff on the Data Protection Act.

A follow up visit in six months was suggested.

The provider responded positively to the report and committed to acting upon the negatives identified.