Enter and view: Priory Court Care Home

Healthwatch Surrey undertook an enter and view visit to Priory Court Care Home on 9 September 2022. The visit formed part of a programme to understand the experiences of care home residents and their families following the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthwatch representatives spoke with four residents and eight members of staff and received feedback from five family members through questionnaires.

The visit found that Priory Court provided a high standard of care in a clean, welcoming and well-maintained environment. Residents and family members were positive about the quality of care, staff attitudes and the range of facilities available, which included sensory areas, a cinema room, personalised bedrooms and activity programmes. Families described staff and managers as approachable and responsive to concerns.

Feedback about food, activities and healthcare support was overwhelmingly positive. Residents reported enjoying a variety of activities and good-quality meals, while family members highlighted the home's efforts to involve them in care planning. Staff spoke positively about teamwork, management support and the introduction of electronic care records, which they felt improved monitoring and communication. The home also demonstrated strong links with healthcare professionals, including GPs, therapists and specialist services.

Overall, Healthwatch Surrey's impression of the home was very positive. The report made three recommendations: to ensure every resident's key worker is clearly identified in their room, to replace broken paving slabs in the courtyard garden for safety reasons, and to share the home's laundry labelling system as an example of good practice with other care homes.