Enter and view: Deneside Court

Healthwatch South Tyneside undertook two Enter and View visits to Deneside Court, a specialist residential and nursing care home in Jarrow,  on 3 February and 11 March 2026. The visits formed part of a wider programme requested by South Tyneside Council’s Quality Team to independently assess residents’ experiences and quality of life, rather than in response to specific concerns. 

Deneside Court is a purpose-built home with 40 bedrooms and apartments across four units, providing personal care, nursing support, access to healthcare professionals, varied leisure activities, and community engagement opportunities. The home promotes person-centred care, with structured care planning, family involvement, regular reviews, and facilities such as a hydrotherapy pool, gardens, and communal spaces designed to meet different needs. 

Nine residents completed surveys, and responses were mixed. Most residents said they were treated well, felt safe, and were generally satisfied with their care, and many spoke positively about staff and activities. However, several residents raised concerns about communication with staff, feeling lonely or unsupported at times, noise levels at night, food quality, and difficulties accessing social workers or advocates. Involvement in care planning was inconsistent, with some residents unsure whether they were included in decisions. 

Only one family member or friend returned a survey, but their feedback was entirely positive, stating that their relative was treated with dignity and respect, felt safe, had their needs met, and received good care from staff who were described as “lovely.” 

The Healthwatch team made two contrasting visits. The first visit felt rushed and disorganised, with limited access to staff, bare communal areas, and concerns observed in two bedrooms, including poor cleanliness and odour in one case. The second visit was notably calmer and more positive, with better staff availability, clearer explanations of care roles, access to more areas of the home, and evidence of warm, respectful interactions between staff and residents. 

Overall, the report concludes that Deneside Court makes considerable efforts to offer varied activities, qualified staffing, and personalised care, and many residents expressed positive experiences. However, Healthwatch recommends improvements to communication, staffing consistency, and the warmth and personalisation of communal spaces to ensure the home consistently meets its stated standards and residents’ expectations. The provider response section had not been completed at the time of publication.