Enter and View: Carrington House, Wincanton

The home was notified about the Enter & View visit two weeks prior to the visit. There were 31 residents living in Carrington House at the time of the visit. Many of the residents were on a respite stay and the manager informed us that respite care or temporary care.

Recommendations

1. That residents are consulted about the decoration of corridors and individualisation to bedroom doors and that existing plans to do this are implemented.
2. That the home consult with ‘Action on Hearing Loss’ and take advice on the installation of hearing loop systems.
3. That the home consider further ways of involving the local community, e.g. visits from scouts, hosting local clubs.
4. that the home looks into the ‘Get Connected’ grant which exists to help those in social care access the Internet.
5. That The ‘Activities List’ (Appendix 1) is shared at resident and family meetings and with activities staff.
6. a) The home ensures ward staff & the director of nursing at YDH are made aware of the home’s need to assess all patients prior to discharge and that discharges will not be accepted after a certain time in the evening; b) The home inform us of any future difficulties relating to discharge from hospital; c) Somerset Care write to the board of directors and the CEO of Yeovil District Hospital outlining difficulties related to admissions and discharge; d) The home look at the Healthwatch document ‘Hospital Admissions & Discharges – Good practice Examples (Appendix 3).
7. The home contacts ‘You can do’ and Aster Living who are often able to take residents out or transport them to Active Living Groups.

This report was produced by the previous Healthwatch Somerset service provider, The Care Forum.