Enter and view: Kingswood Care Home

Healthwatch Northamptonshire undertook an Enter and View visit to Kingswood Care Home on 23 August and 27 September 2016.

The visit found that residents and relatives were generally very positive about the care provided and described the home as welcoming, homely and caring. Relatives spoke highly of staff, the quality of personal care, food and hygiene standards, and felt comfortable raising concerns with the manager. Residents were observed to be appropriately dressed, treated with dignity and respect, and supported to make choices about their daily lives. There was also positive feedback about the range of activities available, including games, music, films, entertainers and social events.

Staff were described as supportive and friendly, and both residents and relatives valued the home's family atmosphere. Meals were well regarded, with varied choices and provision for special diets. Activities were a particular strength, and residents were encouraged to participate while maintaining as much independence as possible within the setting.

Healthwatch Northamptonshire identified several areas for improvement. The communal areas and hallways would benefit from redecoration, the gardens required improvement to create a better outdoor environment, and staff name badges were recommended to make identification easier for residents and visitors. The report also highlighted concerns about unused mobility equipment being stored on site because it had not been collected by the equipment service, recommending better arrangements to ensure equipment can be reused elsewhere when no longer needed.