Archived: Nightingale House

22 Elgin Road, Alexandra Park, London, N22 7UE (020) 8889 7885

Provided and run by:
Ms R Sisteedhur

All Inspections

22 June 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

We asked four people about the staff. They said that they liked the staff. One said about the staff on duty, 'they are happy girls.' People said that staff were kind.

One person said they were happy in the home, felt the atmosphere was 'free' and they felt happy there. They said 'I think it is fantastic here.' Two others said they would prefer to live somewhere else. Another said it was 'mostly good' but had suggestions of how their life could be improved in terms of food, going out and better facilities. Four were able to express views to the inspectors about issues such as the food in the home and whether they would like improvements.

One person confirmed that he went to local shops. The other three said they had never left the home since they moved in. We did not know whether or not this was true. We asked if they would like to go out and all four said they would really like to go out with staff. One person said they would like to go shopping, one said they would love to visit Alexandra Palace, which is five minutes away and the other two said they would like to go 'anywhere.'

The representative of one resident told us that this person should have more opportunities to go out, do more things and have more stimulation. They also said that contact with people from the person's cultural background would be invaluable and it would be of some benefit to have someone speak to them in their own language.

A representative said the resident they visited was well groomed and this was evidence of basic good personal care. One person living in the home said they wished they had an en suite toilet.

Two people said they did not have any food reflecting their cultural background. The menu confirmed this. One person suggested some meals they would like to eat. This indicates that they had not been consulted when the menu was planned. One person said they had bread and jam for breakfast and a sandwich for supper every day but did not mind this. One person said the food was 'quite alright' and that staff knew that they were allergic to a certain food. Another said the food was good and there was enough of it but would like some different meals.

We talked to four of the six people living at the home in private. We asked them if they felt safe in this home. All four said they did feel safe. Another person was unwilling to talk to us and we were unable to communicate with the sixth person. Both these people appeared cheerful and calm when we observed them throughout the day. We had no concerns for their safety on the day of the visit.