Enter and view: Half Acre House

Healthwatch Rochdale conducted an Enter and View visit in January 2019 to Half Acre Elderly Residential Care Home. This was part of a programme of announced Enter and View visits to care homes in the Rochdale Borough. The visit was based on eigh care quality indicators including: visible management; staff with the time and skills to do their job; good knowledge of each individual resident and how their needs may be changing; a varied programme of activities; quality, choice and flexibility around food and mealtimes; residents can regularly see health professionals; accommodate residents personal, cultural and lifestyle needs; and an open environment where feedback is actively sought and used.

The observations about the care home include: staff were friendly and had a positive attitude towards care duties; the residents' needs were met as the home aims to provide individualised care; there was a vast programme of indoor and outdoor activities; food choices were varied and the dining area was well furnished; residents have access to regular visits from health professionals and can be taken to practices if needed. The care home had limited car parking availability for visitors to access the home. No methods for collecting feedback were observed in the homes, such as a suggestions box. Staff reported that they received support from the manager with training and guidance. Residents reported that staff were helpful and positive. They stated that mealtimes were sociable and were given a choice of food.

Recommendations were made including: Researching and acquiring more information on electronic care plans and consider switching from paper based to electronic care planning; Sharing good practice regarding activities with other homes including ideas for implementing individualised activities; Extend the car parking space or have an allocated car park for resident’s friends and families to come and visit; Having a ‘you said we did’ board for both residents and staff feedback to demonstrate how giving feedback can make a positive difference; and Having a suggestions box so that people can make suggestions for improvement anonymously.

The response from the service provider was positive and they implied that the changes will be made to the home based on these recommendations.