Enter and view: Nightingale Hammerson Care Home

Healthwatch Barnet conducted an announced Enter and View visit to Nightingale Hammerson House, Hammerson House is a multi-functional Care Home for Jewish Residents wishing to spend the later part of their lives in settings commensurate with the level of care they need.

Nightingale Hammerson has 12 sheltered accommodation units and also provides Residential and Nursing care The Healthwatch Barnet Enter and View Authorised Representatives did not visit the sheltered accommodation on this visit but focused on residential and nursing care. The number of sheltered units is going to be gradually reduced during extensive renovation taking place over the next few years. . In their place a brand new dementia is being built to reflect the changing needs of London’s elderly population. At present, tenants of the sheltered accommodation are able to share in the Home’s facilities (e.g. taking meals if they do not wish to cook their own, or joining the activities offered to residents. Tenants spoken to were anxious about how the changes would affect them.

The 63 resident s , whether residential or nursing, have their own room with ensuite facilities . There is also a communal dining area for meals with table service, a full activities programme running over the whole week and a garden. There are synagogue services at appropriate times for a Reform congregation. A small shop just off reception, opens mainly in the morning with a selection of items available for sale.

The report concludes that Nightingale Hammerson is a Care Home with a vision for the future, good training opportunities, some dedicated long term staff and currently an enviable activities programme . However it was observed that the merger of Nightingale with Hammerson, and the changes this is bringing is causing difficulties to arise in sharing the future vision with some of the workforce, tenants, residents and relatives . Management is not adequately allaying people’s often understandable fears and the Authorised Representatives felt that this may impact on the quality of care and on the atmosphere in the Home . The report suggests that managers need to reconsider the

effectiveness of their communications with everyone one working in, or using the Home, regarding the changes whilst continuing to ask for people’s feedback and involvement. It was noted that several people did not want to talk to Healthwatch Barnet, nor be seen in their presence, and it was recommended that the Home engages with everyone so that they are genuinely reassured that the Home welcomes feedback and that care would not be affected because this was given.

The provider has made a defensive response that does not show reflection or willingness to change their approach to the issues raised.