Enter and view: Woodside, The Old Vicarage

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire (HCB) conducted an announced Enter and View visit to the Woodside, a residential nursing care home, on 23rd April 2015.

HWCB authorised representatives did not feel it appropriate, at the time of the visit, to speak with the residents at the care home owing to the stages of their dementia and their physical condition. In addition, the visit did not coincide with any relatives attending the home and representatives were therefore unable to talk to a relative and only talked to staff.

The representatives found the home to be clean, warm, light and airy with a ‘neutral’ atmosphere, however, it felt very dated, both in respect of decoration and furnishings and appeared to be urgently in need of redecoration or refurbishment. Residents looked tidy, clean and well cared for, representatives saw no evidence of dignity not being respected. The menu appeared to be balanced and nutritious and mealtimes were suitable for the residents. Residents could also choose where to take their meals. There was clear evidence of social activities, with photographs of visiting entertainers displayed on the activities board. The residents were given the option of taking part in organised activities along with their relatives. All the staff were observed speaking to residents in a caring and personal matter. The staff appeared to be well trained and representatives were confident the residents were well cared for.

This report highlights the good practice that was observed and recognises the amount of work being carried out by the team at Woodside to further improve the home for residents. HWCB made several recommendations; that the programme of redecoration and refurbishment continues, and that priority be given to improving lighting in the corridors of the home. That some form of identity badges for staff be arranged for the benefit of residents, relatives and visitors and recommended this be addressed as a matter of urgency. HWCB also recommended that the WC cubicles in bedrooms be removed as soon as possible to improve access for residents, particularly those with limited mobility (those needing hoists etc.) and they are replaced with a suitable alternative, such as commodes and a sluice room.