Enter and view: Newton Hall Residential Home

Healthwatch Cheshire West conducted an unannounced enter and view visit at Newton Hall Residential Home which is owned by Springcare Ltd. It is an old building, which poses its own problems and had 32 service users in residence on the day of the visit. Initial impression from the large vestibule was that the interior of the home is rather careworn but the residents we saw were chatty, mobile and smiling demonstrating good interaction with Staff.

Only 14 of the rooms are en-suite, though all have washing facilities. There were commodes present in the non en-suite rooms we saw. There are two shared rooms - neither of which was in use at the time of our visit. Rooms are small, though many had personal touches. The activities coordinator, is full time and manages a varied programme of outside visits to shopping or garden centres, local museums or other attractions (Delamere Forest is on their doorstep) as well as quizzes, board games, craft activities and baking.

Recommendations

Activities – wider range of activities and better advertisement of them. Also, cover for when the Activities Coordinator is away and better use of the mini bus. Weekly rather than monthly programs in resident‟s rooms.

Decor – the whole house is in need of updated decor, especially the carpets in the lounges. One of the bathrooms needs a total refit. There is also a feel of untidiness which needs to be addressed – for example the plethora of small notices on the walls of the reception area.

Office - The Manager deserves a better, more accessible office space where he can also conduct interviews and talk to relatives in private.

Welcome desk - This needs to be made into a more professional reception area, with relevant notices clearly displayed including an area suitable for private conversations as the manager‟s office is not easily accessible.

Security door buzzer – needs replacing as annoyingly noisy.

Service provider response

We always use any feedback to help the home move forward. I am now in the process of recruiting another Activities coordinator to enhance what we already have in place. I feel that your visit went well.