Enter and view: Templemore Care Home

Healthwatch West Northamptonshire undertook an announced enter and view visit to Templemore Care Home on 17 February 2026.  They spoke to 15 people.

Positive findings

 Interactions between staff and residents were consistently observed to be kind, patient and respectful. Residents and their families repeatedly described staff as kind, caring and attentive. Staff demonstrated strong relationships with residents, addressing them by name and understanding individual needs and preferences.  Residents’ privacy and dignity were respected, with staff knocking before entering rooms. 

The home was consistently clean, odour-free and well presented across all areas.  Bedrooms were personalised with decor, comfortable and had a homely feel. Communal areas were bright, spacious and well utilised. Bathrooms and facilities were maintained to a high standard of hygiene. Music played throughout the environment, adding to the positive ambience and environment for residents and staff. 

There were additional amenities for residents to access, such as a resident shop, hair salon, library and sensory room, support independence and wellbeing. Outdoor spaces and gardens provide valuable access to nature. Snack stations and drink availability support nutrition and choice.

Dementia best practice was seen throughout the residence. Clear signage with images and contrasting colours was seen to identify each shared space in the home, as well as residents’ rooms. The use of the personalised “Story of Me” documents was consistent for each resident and easily accessible; memory boxes were in place for some residents. Dementia-friendly colour schemes and tableware were seen in shared spaces and within all the dining rooms. Staff showed good understanding of dementia care approaches, including reassurance, orientation and meaningful engagement. 

There is a varied and structured activities programme in place, with multiple daily sessions. The activities coordinator plays an effective role in ensuring there is a planned schedule and that engagement with residents occurs throughout the day. Residents were observed actively engaging and enjoying activities. Opportunities are enabled for residents to contribute, such as helping to set up the dining spaces, which supports a sense of purpose. 

There were no strict visiting hours, promoting flexibility and family involvement. Families reported feeling welcomed and listened to. Communication between staff and families was described as good. 

Staff spoke positively about the impact of new management, describing leadership as “hands-on”, supportive, and driving improvements. Staff reported feeling valued and supported, with access to supervision and training. Governance and oversight appear to have strengthened since previous inspections. 

Challenges  

While the home’s overall environment was positive, Healthwatch did note a few things which could benefit from improvement. One fire extinguisher in Cedar 2 was observed to be missing a safety cover. Some of the first-floor corridors were noted as narrow , which may present challenges for residents using mobility aids. While generally strong, more signage in the main residential building for bedroom navigation at the end of the first floor could be helpful to residents. 

When speaking with staff, it was reported that they sometimes had rota pressures during leave periods. Through conversations, it was shared that the use of temporary/ bank staff can lead to inconsistency and increased workload for permanent employees.  Desire for “more time” suggests potential capacity challenges. 

While many residents were satisfied with the food, one resident stated that they preferred some days compared to others.  One resident noted a desire for greater involvement in menu planning. 

While the overall dementia practice at the home was found to be delivered effectively, one family member shared views that residents with dementia who are more independent may experience periods of low stimulation. 

Staff expressed interest in additional training (e.g. medical skills, in-person learning). Some staff highlighted a lack of formal recognition or incentive schemes.