Enter and view: Voyage 1

Healthwatch Staffordshire undertook an Enter and View visit to Voyage 1 Residential Care Home on 22 November 2019.  They assessed it against 8 indicators of a good care home:

They observed good care and support to residents by staff who knew them well, although there are some areas that could benefit from a review which may result in benefits to both residents and staff.

Activities should be meaningful and include where possible and appropriate, physical, social and leisure activities that are tailored to a person’s needs and preference. Activities may be structured or spontaneous, be for individuals or groups and may involve family, friends and carers or the wider community. Activity may provide emotional, creative, intellectual or spiritual stimulation.

Catering – following our observations and feedback from relatives it would be helpful to review the provision of meals including the nutritional standards, variety and presentation.

Record keeping – a system review may help streamline the amount of record keeping whilst still maintaining appropriate, comprehensive and detailed records.

Following the feedback given by the relatives present during our visit there are things that could be introduced to promote feedback on the service from the relatives, such as relatives’ meetings and surveys.

In addition, it may be helpful to invite people occasionally to visit the home and for them to see its strengths. For example, display the artwork that the residents have taken part in or invite them for a festive Christmas gathering or other activities.

Recommendations

There were a number of recommendations about the following areas;

• The filing system and records kept about the residents
• Activities
• Food
• Getting feedback from relatives and residents.

The provider made a lengthy response which is incorporated at appropriate points in the report.