Enter and view: Wavertree Bungalow
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Healthwatch Liverpool carried out an Enter and View visit to Wavertree Bungalow in December 2024. The service provides specialist respite care for up to five adults with learning disabilities, complex health needs and personal care requirements. Overall, Healthwatch found a welcoming, accessible and well-maintained environment with highly trained staff and strong leadership. Staff retention was good, morale appeared high and the service was praised for helping residents maintain their normal routines during respite stays, including attending their usual day services and activities.
A major strength was the expertise of staff and the highly personalised approach to care. The service supports people with very complex needs, including epilepsy, mobility impairments, PEG feeding requirements and other specialist health conditions. Staff worked closely with community health professionals and families to ensure care was tailored to individual preferences, cultural needs and routines. Healthwatch found the lounge and communal areas particularly welcoming, and observed residents enjoying activities, music and social interactions in a relaxed atmosphere.
Healthwatch also highlighted the service’s strong commitment to staff training and development, supported through the wider Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust network. Staff spoke positively about the support available to them and the quality of specialist training provided. The home was recognised for maintaining high standards despite the challenges of providing short-stay respite care where personalisation can be more difficult than in long-term residential settings.
Healthwatch concluded that Wavertree Bungalow provides a high-quality specialist respite service in a supportive and homely environment. Only minor improvements were identified, including providing more easy-read versions of safeguarding and policy information and ensuring keys are not left in display cabinets. The report particularly commended the quality of staff training, the commitment to maintaining residents’ routines and the welcoming lounge environment as examples of good practice.