Enter and view: The Sycamores

Healthwatch Warwickshire undertook an Enter and View visit to The Sycamores Care Home on 29 April 2019. The visit found that residents were generally happy with the care they received and spoke positively about staff, food and activities. Staff were observed treating residents with dignity and respect, managing challenging behaviour effectively and supporting residents to remain as independent as possible. The home was praised for its positive focus on activities, use of electronic care records that relatives could access through an app, and efforts to improve communication between staff teams. 

Residents and relatives were complimentary about staff and the quality of care provided. The report highlighted good practice in nutrition, hydration, falls prevention and personalised care, and noted that residents were offered drinks, snacks and fruit outside mealtimes. Activities were a particular strength, with dedicated lifestyle coaches, regular outings and a varied programme of events. Staff reported receiving good induction, training and support, and turnover was described as low. 

However, some concerns were identified. Several residents felt that the recent increase in agency staff had negatively affected their care and three residents said they would like more opportunities to go out. The home's décor appeared worn in places, parts of the garden required attention, and the lift had been unreliable for around two weeks before the visit. Healthwatch also found one call bell unplugged and two pull cords tied back, which could affect residents' ability to summon assistance. 

Healthwatch Warwickshire recommended reducing the use of agency staff where possible, routinely checking call bells and pull cords, introducing a comments and suggestions box, continuing improvements to communication, improving garden maintenance and progressing planned refurbishment work. The provider accepted the recommendations and outlined actions including recruiting additional staff, strengthening induction processes, improving checks on call bell systems and continuing a programme of redecoration and maintenance.