Archived: Villa Maria Private Nursing Home

People made positive comments about the staff. One person said “they are all very good.” One person told us the staff were "beautiful.” Another person said they were “marvellous." One person gave us a more varied view of the staff but she reflected that her views could be affected by her mood. People told us about activities they enjoyed.These included visits to the Day Centre, reading, sitting in the beautiful garden and attending the weekly exercise class.

We made observations over lunch-time and saw that the dining facilities were suitable. People had the option to eat in different areas of the home and outside in the gardens. The home was spacious in layout and the rooms were clean. The gardens were very attractive. We saw that the delivery of medications was in an organised and safe way for people who used the service.

We reviewed the care files of four people who used the service. We observed that staff respected and involved people in their care. People received the care and support that met their needs. Staff were properly trained and adequately supported. We saw that medicines were managed in a safe way and the home met people’s nutritional needs.

All of the feedback we received from people was very positive. Several of them referred to it as “like living in a big family”.

One told us that “staff are very kind and always cheerful” and another said “everything you could possibly want is here, the staff are brilliant”.

People told us that they had been able to bring things with them to make their rooms more homely and one said “I have a lovely room here, I was able to bring my husband's armchair and some pictures, it made me feel much better about having to come here”. One person told us that they shared a room but they liked it and enjoyed the company. They said that staff draw curtains around them when they help them in the morning.

They told us about how they spend their days, “sometimes we do exercises, a lady comes here”, and “we go out to places like the seaside and parks and nurseries”. They also told us that there was musical entertainment and parties.

Everyone we spoke with told us they enjoyed the food that was served, there was always a choice and extra snacks and drinks would always be available.

Staff turnover in the home was very low, which helped provide continuity of care and all staff were able to attend training to help them meet the needs of the people they were caring for. Staff told us that there were always enough of them to help people without having to rush them and they were very aware of the ways that they could help people maintain their privacy and dignity.