Enter and view: Wellcroft House
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Healthwatch Sandwell carried out an Enter and View visit to Wellcroft House, a small residential care home in Wednesbury that supports six people with profound learning disabilities. The purpose of the visit was to assess the quality of care, observe interactions between residents and staff, and identify examples of good practice.
Overall, Healthwatch found Wellcroft House to be a modern, spacious and well-maintained home with a welcoming and homely atmosphere. Residents' bedrooms were personalised to reflect their interests and preferences, and the home included facilities such as a sensory room, conservatory, large garden and lift access.
The visit identified positive relationships between staff and residents. Staff were observed to be attentive to residents' needs and to treat people with dignity and respect. Healthwatch noted that staff demonstrated sensitivity when supporting a resident who was unwell by prioritising their wellbeing, privacy and recovery.
Staff feedback indicated a stable and experienced workforce with low staff turnover. The home operated a comprehensive training programme with a reported completion rate of 91%, and staff received specialist training to meet the needs of residents, including PEG feeding training. Management and support staff had worked at the home for a number of years, contributing to continuity of care.
The report found that residents were offered a wide range of choices regarding food and activities. Menus were varied and adapted to individual dietary needs, with residents able to choose meals using photographs. Activities included cinema visits, bowling, swimming, theatre trips, music festivals, holidays, college attendance, day centre access and cultural events. Residents were also involved in making decisions about activities and holidays.
Family members played an important role in decisions about residents' care, working alongside staff and healthcare professionals. The home maintained regular care plan reviews and had processes in place for medication administration, with two staff members involved to ensure safety. Only one complaint had been received during the previous year, and it had been resolved promptly.
Healthwatch found evidence of good access to healthcare services, including support from a GP, consultants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dietitians.
Overall, Healthwatch concluded that Wellcroft House provided high-quality care in a positive environment. The report highlighted good staff engagement, meaningful resident choice, and strong training arrangements, and made no recommendations for improvement. The provider welcomed the report and stated that it was very pleased with the findings.