Enter and view: Kent House, Buckinghamshire

Healthwatch Bucks (HWB) conducted this Enter and View visit on 30th January 2015 to Kent House. The representatives found that in general there were positive interactions observed between service users and carers. The personal preferences and hobbies of service users were encouraged and supported and carers were matched in order to support these personal choices. Concern was raised that some residents were locked-in but later clarification reflected the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were in place to optimise resident and carer safeguards.

The HWB team thought the following points were positive and to be celebrated:

- Weekly church service was arranged for those requiring it;

- Personal items were encouraged in bedrooms. One resident enjoyed painting and attended

college and a work-placement weekly. She had art around her room and materials for

painting.

- A multidisciplinary approach was used to provide care, combining psychologist, occupational

therapist and physiotherapist.

- Positive interactions were observed between carers and service-users; staff spoke kindly and

at eye level.

- Carers are matched, where possible according to service-users interests and hobbies.

HWB made the following points for future consideration:

- Whilst the food looked appetising there seemed limited choice on the occasion of the visit

due to the presence of an agency chef.

- Some residents were locked-into their rooms for safeguarding purposes. The Enter and View

team urge regular review of this and seek alternative methods of keeping people safe

where possible.