Enter and view: Long Meadows, Ripon

Healthwatch North Yorkshire carried out an Enter and View visit to Long Meadow Care Home in Ripon in November 2015. Overall, the home was caring and staff were generally described as friendly and supportive. Residents said they felt safe and well looked after, and staff appeared committed to supporting residents despite the complex needs of many people living in the home. However, Healthwatch found significant concerns about the environment and whether staffing levels were sufficient to meet residents' needs consistently. 

The home accommodated many residents with high levels of dependency, including people living with dementia, mobility problems and complex health conditions. While staff were positive about their work and relationships with residents, Healthwatch observed delays in responding to call bells and identified concerns about staffing levels, particularly at night. Residents also reported limited opportunities for outings and meaningful activities, although some activities and external visits were available.

The strongest concerns related to the physical environment. Healthwatch found a persistent odour throughout the building, poorly lit corridors, limited dementia-friendly design, safety concerns around stair gates and examples of poor maintenance. Some residents' rooms contained used commodes that had not been emptied, which Healthwatch felt affected both dignity and hygiene. The extensive gardens were largely inaccessible to residents and did not provide a secure outdoor space for people living with dementia. 

Healthwatch concluded that while residents and staff valued the care provided, significant improvements were needed. Recommendations included reviewing staffing levels, improving cleanliness and odour control, enhancing dementia-friendly signage and design, improving lighting, making the garden safer and more accessible, addressing safety issues such as stair gates and considering additional measures to support residents living with dementia.