24 June 2011
During an inspection in response to concerns
We looked round the home and saw photographs and artwork displayed showing activities and events that had taken place. In one of the lounges people were playing skittles with staff and the activities organiser. As it was a warm day some people were sitting outside in the sunshine. There were trays of soft drinks available in every lounge.
We visited the dining rooms at lunchtime. We saw that people had a choice of dishes for their main course and dessert and staff were going round asking them what they would like. One person told us, 'The food is lovely.' A visitor said, 'I can't fault the food. I visit often and it always looks good.'
The people who use the service and relatives we talked to told us the home was well-staffed. One person said, 'There always seems to be plenty of staff around.' And a relative commented 'As far as I'm aware there's enough staff to look after everyone properly.'
Everyone we talked to praised the staff who worked at the home. One person told us, 'I like all the staff here, I've never had a problem with any of them.' And a relative said, 'The staff here are lovely. They nursed my relative with such love. They never left him alone when he was ill, they sat with him all the time.'
People told us they had a say in how the home was run. One person said they wanted a larger bed in their room and this had been provided for them. A relative told us, 'The staff are approachable. They are always willing to listen if I've got something to say about my relative's care and they listen to my suggestions.' Another relative said, 'There's a form you can fill in if you've got something you want to say about the home.'