Enter and view: Rosetrees Care Home

Healthwatch Barnet carried out an announced Enter and View visit to Rosetrees on 26 January 2016. Rosetrees is a Jewish Care residential care home located on the Betty and Asher Loftus Centre site and accommodates older people, many of whom are living with dementia. At the time of the visit, 49 of the home's 53 places were occupied. 

The inspection found that Rosetrees provided a clean, bright and welcoming environment where residents appeared well cared for. The home benefited from access to shared facilities on the wider campus, including a synagogue, hairdresser, shop, café and dementia day centre. Residents were able to personalise their rooms, which included en-suite wet rooms, photographs and memory boxes outside doors to support orientation and independence. 

Healthwatch noted that although the building was generally well maintained, some communal areas, toilets and lounges showed signs of wear and tear and would benefit from refurbishment. Management reported that renovation work was already planned. The home had also introduced pets, including two kittens and a parrot, alongside regular visits from a therapy dog, following requests from residents. 

Care planning arrangements were comprehensive. Prospective residents underwent assessments involving family members, social care professionals and healthcare staff, and could take part in a trial stay before admission. Care plans were reviewed monthly and most relatives reported being involved in planning and decision-making. However, some staff felt that medical terminology within care plans could sometimes be difficult to understand. 

Residents had good access to healthcare support. A local GP visited weekly, with additional medical cover available from neighbouring Lady Sarah Cohen House. Residents’ weight and hydration were monitored regularly, and services such as optometry, dentistry and chiropody were available when required. The home was also accredited under the Gold Standards Framework for end-of-life care and worked closely with North London Hospice. 

Feedback from residents and relatives about staff was highly positive. Many praised the kindness, patience and professionalism of the managers and care staff. Healthwatch observed caring interactions, including staff assisting residents safely and respectfully with mobility needs. However, many staff members felt that additional staffing would be beneficial, particularly during mealtimes, evenings and weekends. 

Training provision was generally good and covered areas including dementia care, medication management, health and safety, mental health, manual handling and food hygiene. However, staff indicated that appraisals had not always been carried out consistently, with some reporting that they had never received an annual appraisal. Staff also requested refresher training on the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). 

The home provided a varied programme of activities through its “Living Well” initiative, including music, exercise, bingo, cinema sessions, discussion groups, trips and religious activities. Residents particularly valued birthday celebrations, social events and visits from religious leaders. Some relatives suggested that even more opportunities for resident interaction and discussion groups would be welcome. 

Food provision was generally viewed very positively. Meals were prepared centrally for the campus, with choices available at each meal and alternatives provided if residents did not wish to eat the menu options. Residents and relatives frequently praised the quality of the food, although one relative felt standards could occasionally be inconsistent. Healthwatch observed staff and relatives assisting residents sensitively during meals. 

Engagement with residents and relatives was strong. Regular surveys and meetings took place, and the manager maintained communication through email updates. Complaints records showed few concerns, and many relatives provided written compliments about the quality of care. All residents and relatives who gave feedback said they would recommend the home to others. 

Overall, Healthwatch concluded that Rosetrees was a well-run, person-centred service providing good-quality care in a supportive environment. Recommendations included reviewing staffing levels to improve coverage at busy times, strengthening appraisal arrangements, and providing additional staff training on the Mental Capacity Act and DoLS. Healthwatch also highlighted concerns about delayed hospital discharges to care homes and recommended further investigation of this issue across the borough.