Barchester Orchard House Care Home

I enjoy a good meal with good company. And pleasant surroundings and an en suite shower room properly equipped.You won't find them in Orchard House. Care workers, however, are exceptionally good, despite their working conditions. Sorry to leave.
Original Comment Report...

These observations are made by a Resident at the Home since 16 August 2012 Orchard House is a former private hospital converted to a Care Home. The conversion was poorly executed with the chief shortcomings being the extensive use of plasterboard and consequent lack of noise insulation, failure to ensure showers are properly enclosed with floors cambered to allow effective drainage. Although lip service has been paid to the normal bathroom furnishings they are mostly stupidly placed, cannot be operated by most residents and lack the basic equipment such as towel rails, soap dishes, toothbrush holders, shelves for toiletries and suitable lighting and charging facilities. No account has been taken of likely disabilities of the Home’s residents and so no aids are provided. You buy your own. Extensive use is made of mobile stand aids and other lifting devices. This is in line with the general policy of not encouraging any rehabilitation for Residents although Carers do their best to help those who want to increase their mobility and general physical ability. Usual problem is lack of Carers. Although there is a resident Physiotherapist, Residents have to compete for her services with her extensive non-residential clientele. Her services must also be paid for. The Home employs two maintenance men. Their general attitude is that their services to residents are provided as a favour rather than something that should be provided as a part of the general service of the Home. They appear to operate erratically, with no planned system in place. Carer morale is very poor. This is mainly because they feel that the numbers on duty are not enough to give the time and attention that Residents are due and pay for. There appears to be no system in place to cover for carers on leave or sick. No use is made of Agency personnel. Food is generally appalling. Raw materials appear to be the cheapest available and the skills of the cooks appear to be confined to attaching pretentious names to dishes they are incapable of preparing. However, the single eating room in which those who do not eat in their own rooms is run on the lines of a Transport Caff so the two sides of catering at Orchard House complement each other. No form of play or hobby activity is provided for Residents. Singers and musicians do perform but the time and place of performance are rarely notified in advance or to everybody. Although the Medina Theatre is just round the corner and provision for wheelchair audience members is provided, no Residents attend this semi-professional venue. Suspect it is because Management leave promptly at or before 1700 hrs and performances start at 1900 or 1930 hrs. No Complaints System is in operation and Management rarely visit Residents so Carers and Senior Carers bear the brunt of Resident’s complaints. These are rarely relayed to Management as the latter usually say they are too busy to speak with them.
Original Comment Report...