Enter and view: Stratton Court Care Home

Healthwatch Gloucestershire undertook an enter and view visit to Stratton Court Care Home on 15 March 2023.

• The staff were very friendly and this was also commented on by the relatives who were spoken to. The residents appeared to be well cared for and were dressed appropriately.
• The atmosphere during the visit was calm and the call bells were not ringing continually.  Staff appear to be welcoming of the changes and improvements that are currently being implemented.
• Activities seem to be integral across all areas of the home with the expectation that all staff are involved. There is an activity programme for each floor with three activities available each day.
• It was noted, and appreciated, that the first and second floors are being used flexibly to adjust to the changing needs for residents however the environment does not appear to always meet these needs. For example, contrast of colours is lacking on the first floor and is inconsistent on the second and third floor (communal residents’ toilets are all white), clocks that are not set to the correct time etc.
• Whilst the home was beautifully presented, some of the soft furnishings, for example, carpets, may not be appropriate (there was an odour of urine present in the corridor of the third floor).
• Noticeboards were present across the home however some of them had out-of-date information, for example, staff photos, activities programme, menu.
• The day, date and time were not clearly shown on any of the floors.
• The signs on the communal toilets were quite high, more than five feet, and the flush mechanism was difficult to operate.
• Visiting arrangements are completely flexible.

The report contains five recommendations about décor, furnishings, noticeboards being kept up to date, clocks and signage in communal toilets.