Southlands Care Home, Harrogate
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 Healthwatch spoke with
Healthwatch North Yorkshire staff and volunteers (authorised representatives) visited the home and spoke with residents, residents’ relatives and friends, and care home staff, as well as conducted a planned observation.
Healthwatch heard from:
- 7 people who live there.
- 3 of their friends or family members.
- 15 members of staff.
What did Healthwatch see?
Summary
Healthwatch representatives (trained staff and volunteers) found the home to be cheerful and welcoming, with a strong team spirit among the staff and well-cared-for residents. The staff greeted them with warmth, offering their time and responses openly and helpfully. The management team is clearly committed to continuous improvement, striving to enhance both the living environment and the quality of clinical care for residents.
What is working well
- Management identified the importance of staff training and development which was echoed by the staff surveyed.
- The leadership team also stressed the importance of a strong governance structure including regular Bupa inspections.
- Residents appeared content and well looked after, with food and drink tailored to their individual needs.
- Call bells were responded to promptly.
- The management and staff team foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- In the afternoon there was a social atmosphere with residents engaging with each other and visitors.
What needs improving?
Healthwatch did not have any specific recommendations for improvement. Healthwatch were very impressed by the care home and its staff when we visited. This is reflected in the feedback.
