Our report following a visit to Sydenham House is a modern 51 bed residential home in Bridgwater.
The home was notified about the Enter & View visit two weeks prior to the visit.
Recommendations
Seek staff and residents views and input into future redecoration. Decoration and furnishings could also be added to the agenda for residents meetings.
Priority is given to fixing the other downstairs toilet.
Staff induction processes are reviewed to help ensure information such as the lost property box is communicated to all staff.
Ensure that residents and staff of individual homes are consulted about decisions such as menus and activities.
Attendance at resident/visitor meetings: Holding regular meetings at least quarterly if not more frequently; Making the meeting part of a larger events such as a cheese and wine evening; Inviting guest speakers to talk about a topic of interest such as finance/care home fees, hobbies and crafts, reminiscence or perhaps even a comedian; Ensuring that residents are able to feed into the agenda in advance and received minutes of meetings, noting in particularly ‘You said we did’ type comments; Giving residents who do not wish to attend the opportunity to contribute to the meeting in other ways, e.g. via a key worker or suggestion box.
That the notice board be updated regularly.
Open discussions with the Somerset Partnership about end of life care.
Research other organisations such as Rethink or the Scouts with regard to minibus hire. The home could also consider giving support to smaller groups to organise a taxi share into town if they wish and therefore reduce the cost.
Liaise with the male residents to find out if there are activities that they would enjoy.
This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum.
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