Concerns raised by local residents over care homes

Healthwatch Rochdale

Healthwatch Rochdale is receiving increased negative and alarming feedback on some of the nursing and residential care homes in the Rochdale Borough.

In light of the media attention Rochdale Care Homes has received recently and the increased intelligence Healthwatch Rochdale has gathered, the local Health and Social Care watchdog would like to receive more information on care home services in Rochdale Borough in order to help implement a future work plan on these services over the next 12 weeks.

Healthwatch Rochdale is the independent Health and Social Care watchdog and we have the statutory powers to hold the commissioners and service providers of the care homes to account for the level of care and support residents are receiving.

Shocking feedback shared by a local resident highlights one of many issues Healthwatch Rochdale is receiving: “After visiting my granddad I have massive concerns about the cleanliness of the place. It smells of urine, and is dirty and filthy. My feet were sticking to the carpet and I had to hold my breath whilst I was in there because I couldn't stand the smell.

"I could only stay for half an hour because of the smell and I felt ill when I came out and had a sore throat. I am unable to take my children to see my granddad because of how dirty and unclean the place is.”

Healthwatch Rochdale acted on th feedback by raising concerns to commissioning bodies and the Care Quality Commissioning (CQC).

Any information provided is strictly confidential and any information shared through formal reports will be anonymised.

You can provide information via the below channels: 

• A dedicated telephone number, 01706 249 575, which is manned from 10am until 4pm, Monday to Friday where a staff member will take your feedback over the telephone.
• Appointment only feedback meeting, call the number above and a member of the staff team will meet with you to discuss your concerns
• Visit the Healthwatch Rochdale website: http://www.healthwatchrochdale.org.uk/content/speak-out

Kate Jones, Healthwatch Rochdale CEO, said: “The feedback we have been receiving highlights some fundamental areas which require improvements. Healthwatch Rochdale has provided specific information to commissioners and the CQC. 

"This level of care is not acceptable and as the public’s voice within the Rochdale Borough, Healthwatch Rochdale wants to highlight other issues by requesting feedback.

"By sharing information you can make a difference, this information will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence. Healthwatch Rochdale has statutory powers and will use them.”