Enter & View Report: Rosclare Residential Home

Healthwatch Kingston Upon Thames visited Rosclare Residential Home, in March 2024. This enter and view was a pre-pilot of a wider scheme of such visits to care homes, working with with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (RBK) and Kingston Care Governance Board (CGB) to support a wider understanding of care provision and the wellbeing of elderly residents in the borough. The visit focused on three areas - environment, activities and mealtimes.  

Healthwatch Kingston spoke to 20 people at Rosclare (12 residents, two visitors, three care staff and three from the management team). 

Key findings

• The building has a comfortable feel and although is not purpose built, has been largely well-adapted for its new purpose.
• Good facilities - The kitchen was spacious, well kept, clean and organised on the day of the visit and in the morning and afternoon there was a cook available to prepare the food.
• The first-floor rooms are personalised for residents, though some safety concerns were noted, such as the lack of signage for the evacuation sledge and missing handrails near certain steps.

Recommendations

• Improve accessibility: Enhance disabled access with clear signage and ramps at the building entrance and ensure garden access is safe.
• Promote resident engagement: Involve residents in garden projects, offer alternatives to group activities, and enhance mealtime options, including surveys and vegetarian choices.
• Increase communication and safety: Install clear fire evacuation signage, infection control notices in multiple languages, and keep a maintenance log to address repairs efficiently.

The Rosclare Team responded to the recommendations with actions to address the recommendations made, including timescales for each activity.