Enter and View Report: Beckfield Care Home
Healthwatch Lincolnshire visited Beckfield Care Home.
Healthwatch Lincolnshire, empowered by the Health and Social Care Act 2012, conducts Enter and View visits to health and social care services to gather on-the-ground perspectives from service users. These visits are not inspections but aim to understand users' experiences and whether services effectively meet their needs. Authorised Representatives, trained and vetted by Healthwatch, conduct these visits.
The visit to Beckfield Care Home was an announced Enter and View visit by Oonagh Quinn, Healthwatch Involvement Officer, and two Authorised Representatives, Julie Emmott and Wendy Cottam.
On this visit, a relatives survey was piloted along with a residents and staff survey. Staff were given the
opportunity to complete the survey before the visit. Residents and relatives took part in a voluntary one-to-one interview with a member of the Enter and View Team.
Key Findings Summary:
A total of 11 residents (1 male and 10 female), 3 relatives, and 2 staff members participated in interviews or surveys.
- Residents: The residents interviewed had lived at the care home for between one month and two years. They expressed feeling respected and safe, with staff supporting their independence and encouraging them to make choices regarding food and activities. While some residents missed living in their own homes, they acknowledged the need for additional support and felt well cared for by staff, who were described as professional, approachable, friendly, and caring.
- Relatives: All the relatives interviewed were satisfied with the care provided to their loved ones. They reported that their relatives were happy, safe, and well looked after. Communication between the care home management, senior staff, and care staff was described as very good, with a variety of communication methods such as in-person updates, telephone calls, noticeboards, and display boards. The relatives also noted that interactions between staff and residents were always positive, with staff treating residents with dignity and respect.
- Staff: Staff members highlighted that effective teamwork and communication were key to the success of the care home. They emphasized that both management and staff worked collaboratively with residents and their families to provide the best care. Staff members felt that communication with hospital staff, particularly concerning resident admissions and discharges, was good.
Recommendations:
- The Registered Manager and staff should continue to plan personalised care to ensure that individual preferences and needs are met.
- The staff should keep offering a variety of activities that reflect cultural differences and preferences, while respecting residents’ decisions if they choose not to participate.
- The Registered Manager and staff are encouraged to work closely with professionals and local groups to build strong working relationships.
- Efforts should be made to integrate the service further into the local community, including with schools, churches, nurseries, and local businesses.
- The Registered Manager and staff should explore alternative transport options, such as community car schemes, to promote independence, especially for appointments that are not covered by non-emergency transport.
