Our report following a visit to Frome Care Village. Up to 60 residents can be accommodated in the facility which is split over two buildings. Parsonage is a period building which is designated for dementia care and Woodlands is a modern building which provides nursing care.
The home was notified about the Enter & View visit two weeks prior to the visit. When we visited the care village was at two-thirds occupancy.
Recommendations
That the home looks into ‘Rem Pods’ and the benefits they could offer to residents.
That the home look into the ‘Get Connected’ grant which exists to help those in social care access the Internet.
That the home look at our publication ‘ Residential; Care ‘Environment – Good practice examples’ (Appendix 1) with staff and at resident and family meetings to see if it generates further ideas for the enhancement and improvement to the environment.
That the home consult with ‘Action on Hearing Loss’ and take advice on the installation of hearing loop systems.
Management look at Appendix 2 ‘Staffing Good practice Examples’ and note any examples the home wish to try and adopt on the recommendations return sheet.
That the home look at Appendix 3 of our publication ‘Resident and Family Meetings – Good Practice Examples’ and discuss this with staff and at resident and family meetings to aid further improvements in this area.
Appendix 4 (Activities - Good practice Examples) be shared with activities and care staff and be discussed at ‘Resident and Family Meetings’ as well as on a one to one basis with residents.
That the home look at our publication ‘Improving Hospital Admissions and Discharges – Good Practice Examples’, (Appendix 5 and implement the suggested actions to help improve future liaison between the hospital and the home).
That the home researches other organisations such as Rethink, local schools or the Scouts with regard to minibus hire. The home could also consider giving support to smaller groups of residents to organise a taxi share into town if they wish and therefore reduce the cost.
That the home invite us to make a further visit in a few months time, so that we can provide residents, staff and visitors with an independent body to discuss what difference the implemented changes have made and give further opportunity for the sharing of good practice during this improvement period.
This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum.
Read our report
If you need this report in a different format, please email info@healthwatchsomerset.co.uk or call 0800 999 1286.