Enter and view: Green Trees Care Home

Healthwatch Enfield gather information on people’s experiences of health and social care services and there are times when it is appropriate for Healthwatch Enfield to see and hear for themselves how services are being delivered: these visits are called ‘Enter and View’, they are not inspections.

Healthwatch Enfield visited Green Trees Care Home on 27/08/2014.

The summary of findings highlighted areas in relation to patient feedback, staff feedback and observation. These findings informed, Healthwatch Enfield found on the day of their visit, the residents at Green Trees Care Home appeared to be generally content, and the relatives they heard from seemed satisfied with the services provided by the care home. It was clear to us that the management have made efforts to address many of the concerns which were pointed out in the most recent CQC report and that this work is ongoing. However, in the course of the visit we became aware of a number of issues which gave us cause for concern. The key issues are the apparent lack of awareness amongst staff and management of current good practice in providing holistic care for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. A truly person-centred approach to care. Opportunities for residents to take part in the activities of daily living in order to retain their independence as far as possible. Opportunities for residents to move about freely inside the care home and to take part in appropriate physical exercise. A professionally designed activities programme. Safe access to the garden. Opportunities for residents to go out of the care home. Healthwatch Enfield believe that the management needs to invest in further professional development for the whole staff team, as well as some improvements to the physical environment, in order to ensure that residents can enjoy an excellent quality of life in this care home.

There were 15 recommendations in this report which included areas around the themes of personal histories, life story work and reminiscence, activities, access to physical exercise, opportunities for going out, other meaningful occupation, access to spiritual services, advance care planning for End of Life Care and volunteers.