Enter and view: Moreland House Care Home

Healthwatch Havering undertook an Enter and View visit of Moreland House Care Home on 17 May 2023. They spoke to the manager in advance of the visit via video conference, and informally to a few residents.

There was a notice on the front door requesting that all visitors wear masks and all staff, including the manager and her deputy were wearing masks. It is believed that this has helped reduce the incidence of other infections such as colds and flu.

The home is situated on 3 floors and there is a basement where laundry and catering services are provided, together with a training room and staff room.

All but one of the residents’ rooms have ensuite facilities comprising toilet and showers (one room does not have a shower). In addition, there are two bathrooms, one on the top and the other on the middle floor, for those residents who prefer to bathe rather than take a shower. There are also toilets on every floor for visitors to use.

A GP is assigned to the home, who visits the home every Tuesday and Wednesday, seeing all residents, not just those who are unwell, and attends as necessary at other times.

Some residents have mental health needs, which are dealt with and supported by the Community Mental Health Team and other support is arranged when needed although there are occasional difficulties at weekends when staff are not on call. The home provides respite care (if spaces are available) but not day care. Respite care occasionally leads to a resident being admitted into full time care. When necessary, the home offers palliative and end-of-life care.

The report has made four recommendations, including developing a colour scheme appropriate for residents with dementia, providing coloured toilet seats, and introducing some coloured plants in the garden.