We take seriously any concerns raised about any care needs that a person has that others feel could be met better at this service.
We have worked on the issues raised in this review with the author before her father left the home.
In our defence, the author was very keen for her father to remain at the home and some of the additional concerns (such as the grounds, access in and out of the home, car parking) have only been raised after her father left following the termination of his contract.
The grounds of the home are used by many residents and those with limited mental capacity do enjoy them because they are safe and enclosed.
Many residents enjoy sitting in them as do their families and friends.
The car park does border the extensive flat grounds but no-one visiting arrives at any speed that would be of any concern to any resident utilising the grounds.
The mini bus trips were stopped because of the Equality Act 2010 as we recognised that all residents’ needed to be offered the availability of using the bus and this was not possible because the minibus did not accommodate wheelchairs.
Individual families are aware of this and arrange for their relatives to have trips out as did the author of the review.
We recognise our limits on the care we provide and state in our literature that we are not a specialist dementia home.
This can necessitate us having to address sensitive issues as dementia increasing to the point we feel that other specialist professionals such as the local mental health team should be involved so that the correct care can be provided.
We recognise that this can be a painful realisation for any relative who finds the ongoing progress of dementia distressing.
We do look to resolve issues in a timely and professional manner.
On occasions, for whatever reason, relationships with residents’ carers can sadly break down. We recognise that this is the very last thing we would want but when it occurs we need to be professional and honest about that and we feel in this case we were.
We are saddened that the author cannot recall the better times her father enjoyed whilst at the service but wish him well in his new placement.