Enter and View: Primrose Hill Nursing Home

The visit was part of Healthwatch Wolverhampton’s quality monitoring. Primrose Hill was made aware that there would be a visit by Healthwatch, but no specific date was given.

Key findings

• Our overall impression of the home was positive. The home and staff members were all very welcoming. The Manager made herself available for the duration of the visit.
• Meals appeared good and a choice was offered. Staff were on hand to assist with meals and drinks. Residents can make their own drinks, supervised by a member of staff. Relatives can also have a meal if they visit during mealtimes. The menu was very small and hard to read.
• Staff morale seemed to be fine, with members of staff expressing that they are content with their employment and receive adequate training. Staff were happy to speak with us.
• Interactions between staff and residents were observed to be meaningful and person-centred. But we also witnessed a staff member being quite short with a resident who wanted to go out for a cigarette after a meal.
• There was one Activity Coordinator in post, and the home was in the process of employing a second. A schedule of activities planned for residents was displayed on a notice board. There seemed to be a range of activities suitable to needs.
• We witnessed a resident trying several doors looking for their room, going into another resident’s room and causing distress to them.
• We noticed clocks that were not displaying the correct time which we felt could be disorienting.
• All areas were accessible with lifts between floors.
• Signs were small and there was only one resident’s room with their name on. Communal toilets were marked with words and pictures.
• The rooms we visited seemed sparse and not very homely, and we couldn’t see anywhere for visitors to sit.
• There was separate space to meet relatives or have a quiet space.