Enter and view: Prince of Wales Extra Care Housing Scheme

This Healthwatch Wandsworth Enter and View report (January 2016) reviewed Prince of Wales Drive Extra Care Housing Scheme, a supported housing scheme for older people in Battersea that combines independent living with on-site care. Healthwatch spoke with 12 tenants and four relatives and found that tenants were generally positive about the scheme and valued both their independence and the support available to them. 

Most tenants felt that personal care was delivered with dignity and respect, and many praised carers for being friendly and supportive. Tenants particularly valued having their own flats, privacy, freedom, and the ability to maintain independent lifestyles while still receiving care when needed. Access to healthcare was generally good, and repairs affecting tenants' safety were usually dealt with quickly.

However, the report identified a number of concerns. Some tenants experienced inconsistency in care staff, did not know who their key worker was, and felt there was a lack of continuity in relationships with carers. Healthwatch also highlighted concerns about a reported delayed response to an emergency alarm call during the night, confusion over responsibilities for providing wider social support, and unmet needs relating to shopping, activities, exercise, transport and maintaining family contact. 

The Enter and View team found that although tenants generally received good personal care, there was uncertainty about who was responsible for addressing broader wellbeing and social support needs. Some tenants reported boredom, loneliness and difficulty pursuing personal interests, while others felt existing activities did not meet their preferences. Healthwatch also noted health and safety concerns, including trip hazards in some flats and problems caused by lift breakdowns. 

Overall, Healthwatch concluded that the scheme was providing a positive alternative to residential care and that most tenants appreciated the combination of independence and support. However, the report found a lack of clarity around roles, responsibilities and additional support needs within this "hybrid" model of extra care housing.

The report made 12 recommendations, including improving continuity of care staff, strengthening monitoring of alarm response times, clarifying responsibilities between care providers and social services, enhancing personalised support for activities and independence, improving access to social work support, and ensuring regular checks for health and safety risks within tenants' flats.