The Grange Care Home, Selby
Healthwatch North Yorkshire has a legal power to visit health and social care services and see them in action. This power is known as 'enter and view' and offers a way for us to meet some of our statutory functions and to identify what is working well with services and where they could be improved. We also get a response from the care homes to our recommended actions.
Purpose of the visit
- To visit and gather views of the residents and their relatives and the experiences of the services provided.
- To observe the ongoing care being provided for the residents and their interaction with staff and their surroundings.
Who we spoke with
Our authorised representatives visited the home and spoke with residents, residents’ relatives and friends, and care home staff, as well as conducted a planned observation.
We heard from:
- 5 residents
- 9 residents’ friends or family members
- 15 members of staff
Key findings
Authorised representatives all felt that, based on observations and interactions with residents, the home provided a ‘family home’ environment with an emphasis on individual needs. Residents seemed to have warm relationships with staff and staff reciprocated with tailored considerate care. This resulted in residents having well-structured, active and social days in an environment where they felt comfortable and cared for.
Report findings
What is working well
- Residents appeared content and well looked after, with food and drink tailored to their individual needs.
- Call bells were responded to promptly.
- A good number of residents were in communal areas of the home, instead of in their rooms, and were interacting with each other and staff members.
- Residents were encouraged to eat in the dining room or other communal areas and seemed to enjoy their food and social interaction.
- Residents appreciated activities available including the ‘spa’ days and the regular morning ‘games session’.
- The ‘bus stop’ feature to help disorientated residents have time to navigate their environment and get assistance from staff was an effective and well considered feature.
- The home accommodated family members for lunch allowing extended contact and a more ‘home-like’ environment.
- The portable electronic system, to identify and monitor residents’ needs and preferences, was appreciated by staff. The system also allowed the manager to effectively monitor individual care provision, whilst on site or remotely.
- Regular coffee mornings, open to anyone, helped people to understand the needs of residents with dementia/other cognitive impairments.
What action is being taken?
Outings
Healthwatch recommendation: There were no organised outings for residents, other than individual shopping trips. Although it was noted that the level of dependency of the residents would necessitate high staffing levels. An example of a positive alternative was when the home created on-site activities like ‘beach days’ where residents could spend time outside with beach themed activities and food.
Response from care home: Following this feedback we will aim to have targeted resident and relative meetings throughout the remainder of the year to gather feedback around specific wants and wishes of resident with regards to outings. This will then enable us to source the appropriate support to facilitate activities outside of the care setting. In the interim we will continue to provide and source and provide on site activities in replication of outings in line with resident wishes.
Ensuite facilities
Healthwatch recommendation: Most of the resident’s rooms did not have ensuite facilities. The management told the team that there were improvement works scheduled, aimed at the provision of more ensuite rooms.
Response from care home: This will continue to form part of the environment development plan and vision as directed by the homes owner and estates manager/team. The plan for further ensuites to be installed will be reviewed on the next estates visit to the service and further plans are authorised.
Online information
Healthwatch recommendation: Website needs updating. For example, at time of the visit the website did not make it clear that the main home was closed.
Care home response: The main house is now set to reopen with the support of an in house customer service co-ordinator who will form part of the St Philips Care Team and integral to the admission and assessment process of The Grange. This colleague has commenced their role on the 30/09/2024 and a review of the company website will fall within their remit for review.
