Enter and view: Heath Cottage Care Home

Summary of report content

The home was evaluated against eight quality indicators: strong, visible management; staff with the time and skills to do their jobs; good knowledge of each individual resident and how their needs may be changing; a varied programme of activities; quality, choice and flexibility around food and mealtimes; ensuring residents can regularly see health professionals such as GPs, dentists, opticians or chiropodists; accommodating residents’ personal, cultural and lifestyle needs; and being an open environment where feedback is actively sought and used.

Findings

The previous CQC Inspection Report had rated this care home as 'good'. The Enter and View representatives found that Heath Cottage Care Home had a pleasant atmosphere, and the residents appeared happy. The staff got on well with the manager, and there was a strong team of caring staff, several of whom had been working there for a long time.  Several of the residents had also been at the home a long time and this has enabled good relationships with the residents.

There was not an Activities coordinator employed when we visited, and the building appears slightly tired, both externally and internally.

Recommendations

Based on these findings, Healthwatch Salford made five recommendations on: improving the environment; employing an Activities Coordinator; technology updates; improving community links and having a clearer complaints procedure. The report includes a response from the service provider.