Enter and View: Milverton Gates
We visited Milverton Gates nursing home to ensure that people who may be vulnerable and less able to raise their voices have the opportunity to speak to Healthwatch, and to look at how residents' physical health needs are supported.
We collected our information by speaking to three residents, six members of staff and four visitors.
Our recommendations:
- Management should address our concerns regarding staffing levels including the number of qualified nurses on duty, sufficient staff to support activities and adequate management cover.
- Address findings regarding mixed picture of staff support and training received in order to ensure that all staff are supported and receive relevant training
- Whilst the home does not specialise in dementia care, it would benefit both residents and staff to put in place some simple aspects of dementia friendly design: a. There should be clear signs to indicate what each room is so that residents can be more independent around the home where possible. b. Opportunities to involve residents in producing the signs should be explored. c. Change carpeting so that it does not go partially up the walls.
- Place a greater emphasis on a range of different activities including individual and one to one activities and develop a programme for this. Consider how residents can be encouraged to do different activities in order to reduce isolation and increase stimulation which will help improve residents overall wellbeing.
- Work to use the facilities in the home, including the dining spaces and outside space, for the benefit of residents (linking this to activities and stimulation)
- Identify a better process for serving food to residents upstairs to reduce their waiting time and the amount of time food is waiting.
- Address security concern regarding side access to rear of building.
