Enter and view: Springvale Court Care Home, Gateshead

In October 2016,Healthwatch Gateshead carried out an enter and view to Springvale Court care home, the purpose of the visit was to talk with residents, family members, staff and managers, in order to find out about the range, frequency and appropriateness of activities on offer to residents and explore how they meet individual resident’s needs, including those with dementia.

During the visit the team spoke with 5 residents, family members, the manager and 3 members of staff.

Summary of findings within the report:

The staff team were committed to providing a homely environment for residents and that family members were encouraged to come and go freely.

Staff had knowledge of the benefits of meaningful activities for an individual's health and well-being.

An Activity Co-ordinator takes the lead on developing activities.

A timetable of activities displayed in reception showing morning and afternoon activities.

Some residents told us they would like to go out on trips, however there had been limited opportunities.

There were 7 recommendations cited within the report which included;

• The understanding was that it was a whole team approach to activity provision, with the Activity Co-ordinator taking the lead supported by all staff. How it was not clear during the visit how evident that was to staff and the recommendation that further staff training be carried out.

• The visiting team heard examples from residents about individual interests they had prior to coming into the care home, however the team could not ascertain how the provider had responded to the identification of these interests. Therefore it was recommended that these interests were received.

At the time of the report being published there was no response from the provider included.