Enter and view: Meadowbank House, Bolton

Healthwatch Bolton conducted an announced Enter and View visit to Meadowbank House on 24 March 2015. The team conducted interviews with 5 staff members, 2 residents and 1 relative during their visit and their general observations from the home have been included in the report’s findings.

The home’s environment was observed to be clean and well presented and the residents appeared clean and tidy. Residents reported that they were very happy with the quality of food. The report raised concerns over resident and staff interactions. The team noted that, during the visit, all residents were in bed or in their bedrooms and there was no evidence of staff interacting with residents positively. The team were informed by residents that they did not have varied activities to participate in and residents reported feelings of loneliness. In addition, the team found that the relatives were not aware of their relative’s care plan. Staff reported that they had access to additional training but felt that increased staff levels were required. Staff also raised concerns about dental care as none of the residents have access to dental check ups as they cannot get a dentist to the home.

The report made three recommendations following the visit to the home. It suggests increased opportunities for building relationships between staff and residents, consideration to be given to provide a more appropriate mix of staff experience to balance familiar and unfamiliar faces for the residents, and to explore the issues residents raised about feelings of loneliness.

The report did not include a response from the service provider.