Enter an view: Warmley House Nursing Home, South Gloucestershire

This is an Enter and view report from Healthwatch South Gloucestershire following a visit on the 11th and 24th November 2015.

Conclusions and Recommendations

This E and V visit found a warm, friendly and very caring environment with hard working staff. The layout of the building, with its narrow corridors and many stairs present staff with challenging issues, although the residents appeared happy and well cared for. The manager is dedicated, efficient and well respected by her staff, although she has increased demands on her time due to covering the management of another care home in the Four Seasons Group. There seems to be a difference of opinion as to the staffing levels at Warmley House. Management informed the authorised enter and view representatives that the home is overstaffed but residents, their relatives and care staff seemed to disagree. .

HWSE representatives recommended that:

• the older part of the building is redecorated. The dementia unit is looking worn and tired and did not seem a welcoming environment. The dementia unit is not ideal for dementia patients as it is positioned on the top floor with secure locked access;

• residents are given more choice in regards to how often they have a bath or a shower. Staff, residents and relatives all voiced concern about the frequency that residents can be supported to bathe;

• regular manicures and hand care is offered to all residents. Managers could ensure this happens by creating a simple table that identified which residents have had hand care each day or week;

• managers update their practice around serving food. Members of staff were observed serving food without using aprons and gloves which

is not acceptable practice due to food hygiene regulations;

• the frequent, and intrusive noise of ringing call bells is addressed;

• staff give more care and attention to residents’ lost laundry, particularly as it appears clothing items are clearly labelled. Residents’ families expressed concern about seeing their family member dressed in another resident’s clothing;

• management ensure there is clear signage on all doors and public rooms using pictures as well as words.