Enter and view: Grace Lodge Nursing Home

Healthwatch Liverpool carried out an Enter and View visit to Grace Lodge Nursing Home in June 2017. The home provides residential and nursing care for up to 65 residents. Overall, Healthwatch found the home to be clean, welcoming and homely, with attractive communal areas and a well-maintained garden. Staff interactions with residents were observed to be warm and respectful, and relatives consistently spoke positively about the quality of care provided. 

Residents and relatives were particularly complimentary about staff, describing them as caring, cheerful and attentive. Families reported feeling well informed and involved in care, with concerns dealt with promptly when raised. Residents were positive about the food, highlighting the flexibility of menus and the willingness of kitchen staff to accommodate personal preferences and dietary needs. 

The home offered a range of activities including bingo, entertainers, choirs and social events, although some residents said they would like more opportunities to socialise and take part in activities. A small number of residents reported feeling lonely at times or wanted more opportunities to spend time in the garden and engage with others. Healthwatch noted that activities had been temporarily disrupted before the visit due to infection control restrictions. 

Healthwatch concluded that Grace Lodge provides a high standard of care in a clean and supportive environment. The main recommendation was that staff work with residents to identify additional activities and social opportunities that reflect their interests and encourage greater participation.