Enter and view: Church View Residential Home

Healthwatch Lancashire carried out an announced Enter and View visit to Church View Residential Home in Oswaldtwistle on 26 May 2016 to assess residents' experiences and the quality of care provided. The home, operated by People in Care Ltd, accommodates up to 30 residents, primarily older people living with dementia, and had seven vacancies at the time of the visit. The team spoke with six residents, five staff members and one relative, as well as making their own observations. 

The visit found that staff were welcoming, caring and respectful towards residents. Residents generally felt safe, valued and treated with dignity, and reported that staff responded promptly when assistance was required. Staff appeared to know residents well and interactions observed during the visit were positive. Resident and staff interactions received one of the highest scores in the report, at 4.5 out of 5. 

Residents expressed high levels of satisfaction with their accommodation and the overall cleanliness of the home. All residents interviewed said they were happy with their rooms, felt they had privacy, and considered the home to be pleasant and clean. They also reported having access to both communal and quieter areas, as well as opportunities to use the garden during good weather. 

The internal environment was generally viewed positively. Lounges were comfortable and homely, public bathrooms were clean and accessible, and facilities included a beauty room and regular hairdressing services. However, inspectors noted that some corridors required refurbishment, including damaged handrails, radiators needing repair and limited use of dementia-friendly features such as contrasting colours and pictorial signage. 

The main area of concern related to the external environment. The grounds and outdoor spaces were found to be in need of maintenance, with broken paving, weeds, litter, a damaged drainpipe, a missing fence panel and potential trip hazards. The home's signage was also difficult to see, and there was no dedicated smoking shelter for residents. As a result, the external environment received the lowest score in the report, at 2.5 out of 5. 

Residents were generally satisfied with the food and reported that drinks were readily available. They were able to choose whether to eat in the dining room or in their own rooms. While some residents reported being offered food choices, others were less certain about the menu options available to them. 

A range of activities and outings was available, including armchair exercises, entertainers, sensory activities, pub lunches, trips to Blackpool, pamper sessions, Bible readings and visits to local attractions. However, some residents were unsure whether they were supported to pursue their own individual interests, suggesting opportunities for more personalised activity planning. 

Staff reported that there were usually sufficient staffing levels, that they received appropriate training, and that they felt supported by management. All staff interviewed said they would recommend the home to a relative and were happy working there.

Overall, the report concluded that Church View Residential Home provided a caring and supportive environment with positive staff-resident relationships and satisfied residents. The main improvements identified related to the upkeep of the external environment, clearer signage, and further development of dementia-friendly design features within the home.