Working at Barton Lodge

Staffing levels are enough now but they used agency staff before and are still building up the team.

They have had to use agency staff previously but they're hiring quite a few staff. At the moment it's good and improving….better and better.

Training covers the basics and some extras like dementia care but no funded qualifications or career development.

Staff had received opportunities to undertake training to keep their skills and knowledge up to date, such as health and safety, moving and handling and nutrition and hydration. Additional training had been provided for staff to equip them with the knowledge to support people with their specific health conditions, such as dementia and diabetes awareness.

Activities happen regularly with two part-time coordinators but are basic group things like music, games and gardening with no specialist programmes.

We have two women for activities... singers, people on keyboards; yesterday we had crosswords on the floor. A man comes in to do scrabble... Another lady comes into do horticulture... Some people had also visited a local allotment.