Introduction

Penhill, originally a doctors residence and surgery was built in 1926 fronting the then new A4 Portway Avonmouth to Bristol Road that fringes the River Avon to the City Docks. Staying with the medical profession for 60 years; was purchased by Barbara and Stephen Ann as a family home in 1985 With rooms to spare, became a small care home catering for 3 residents by 1995. As time progressed with actual experience gained and increased demand, gradually increasing the numbers of residents.

The year 2000 saw the major changes in standards of care required by government, for many homes across the country this was the beginning of the end as major structural changes could not be undertaken. Needless to say the requirement for care continued and is set to increase in the foreseeable future. Many viable homes were acquired by large groups and speculators; and in some cases losing the homely environment forever. During this period Penhill met and achieved all these standards adding a further 8 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a lift to all floors and an additional lounge and dining room, exceeding the national standards. Probably the most difficult challenge was to maintain the original concept of a caring home, where a resident becomes part of a large family, not just a name. That is the key, and this has been achieved incorporating the important and positive changes in 2000. Penhill is owned and run by Steve & Barbara and the valuable and adaptable help of their two sons Jonathan & Kristopher and most importantly the dedicated and qualified team of personal carers, cooks and domestic staff many of whom have supported the home since the early days.

Penhill is situated close to many local amenities, shops, community links, library, churches, bus and rail links all within a 10 minute leisurely walk. The home is easily accessible by car with a close link to the M5 motorway. Secure cycle facilities are available for anyone who wishes to utilise the adjacent cycle path.


Bedrooms
All of our rooms, new and old are CSCI registered and all comply with current standards. Our new rooms are spacious, exceeding the generous spatial standards laid down by the government. All of the new rooms are newly professionally decorated and furnished with new solid pine furnishings.En-suite facilities consisting of a toilet and washbasin are available in all but 3 rooms.

Television points are available in all rooms from which you will be able to receive the 5 terrestrial channels as well as occasionally scheduled videos and our own custom channel advising you of forthcoming events and activities you might wish of forthcoming events and activities you might wish to participate in.

A telephone point is also available in all rooms, supplied with a telephone or you are more than welcome to bring your own.Should you wish to utilise our telephone system you will haveimmediate connection to dial outside numbers and we will be able to provide you with a number from which friends and family will be able to directly contact you.

A staff call point is available in all rooms should you need assistance. However we ask that consideration is given to these as all calls are considered urgent and normally answered in seconds. Rooms are fitted with thermostatically controlled radiators for our residents choice and comfort.


Communial areas

Penhill has a large lounge in which residents tend to congregate in the daytime, the room features a large screen television with a connection to Sky and a subscription to all movie channels. The room has a homely standard of interior design, classically styled with wooden beams and an open log fire as the focus of the room. This is lit throughout the winter and on particularly cold days in the surrounding seasons.

The conservatory offers an alternative quiet day room from the lounge, It offers a view over Penhill’s gardens; mainly laid to lawn surrounded by flower borders. A large fishpond is the focal point of the garden, with a collection of large Koi Carp and water plants. From the conservatory a view out over the River Avon across to the tranquil village of Pill and surrounding areas can be seen. This is also a favourite for resident watching the sunset on the horizon on summer evenings.

The dining room provides yet another option for residents during the daytime. This room features a high quality quadraphonic sound system that is often used in the daytime to provide music for those who wish to listen. This room also features a wide screen television, VCR and DVD player for residents who individually wish to watch the occasional movie or documentary in whatever format!

As well as serving as a dining room this room often is host to our regular activities including our weekly visiting pianist, church services, singing events, parties, plays and many more. A Short-Grand piano is situated in the dining room for any resident who may wish to play, this is also used in our musical events and on special occasions during meal times. The dining room looks out to a block-paved patio host to a large water feature in summer months and making a shady retreat on warm days.

Our gardens are well maintained and accessible for all residents to enjoy. Spacious lawn areas providing both sun and shade during the summer months for anyone who wishes to sit out and enjoy the surroundings. A large fishpond is the focal point in our front garden; a waterfall provides the relaxing sound of cascading water as a background to this idyllic setting.

A lift has recently been installed to provide access to all residents to all floors, Giving access to all our facilities regardless of mobility. Visitors are welcome to use this facility if stairs are found to be strenuous. Penhill is committed to ensure easy access by disabled people to all areas of the home. We have ramps, handrails, walking aids and a wheel chair.


Other Information

Our gardens are well maintained and accessible for all residents to enjoy. Spacious lawn areas providing both sun and shade during the summer months for anyone who wishes to sit out and enjoy the surroundings. A large fishpond is the focal point in our front garden; a waterfall provides the relaxing sound of cascading water as a background to this idyllic setting.
A lift has recently been installed to provide access to all residents to all floors, Giving access to all our facilities regardless of mobility. Visitors are welcome to use this facility if stairs are found to be strenuous. Penhill is committed to ensure easy access by disabled people to all areas of the home. We have ramps, handrails, walking aids and a wheel chair.

All of our food is home-cooked by our qualified chef who excels in providing meals to the individual requirements of our residents. We provide breakfast consisting of Fruit/Toasts/Cereals and Tea/Coffee for residents either in the dining room or their rooms depending on their wishes. Lunch is served between 12PM and 12:30PM. Home made cakes and treats are also made available at tea times. A selection of snacks, fruit and drinks are available all day.

Penhill operates a trial visit policy to ensure a mutually, suitable placement is achieved. As a first stage to this residents are invited to spend a day with us, perhaps for lunch or tea to become familiar with their surroundings and ensure they are happy with the facilities and environment we provide. The next step is usually a trial stay of up to 4 weeks and a decision is usually taken by then end of that period of whether the placement is suitable.

Visitors are welcome at all times although at the residents request it is appreciated if meal times are given consideration. With prior notice visitors are most welcome to stay for their meal. Visitors are freely permitted to participate in any events of parties organised by the home.

Care plans are implemented and reviewed on a 6/9 monthly basis. A care plan is a document which states the care needs of the individual resident and gives clear guidelines as to how and when these needs will be met. The care plans are discussed on a regular basis, in an informal way, with the residents and their relatives. Residents, relatives and care workers are encouraged to participate with the care plan, to ensure that all the residents needs are being taken into consideration and being fully met. Penhill uses a key worker system to ensure continuity of staff with residents.

We are very proud of our chosen staff team. All are trained in aspects of home safety to ensure a safe environment is provided for residents. Many of our team hold NVQ level 2 and 3 qualifications in care, first aid, food hygiene & fire safety training; ensuring that high standards are always achieved.

Residents wishing to make a will, will be referred to the citizens advice bureau or the law society if they need a solicitor.
The management and staff will not, except in the most extreme emergency, act as witness to a resident’s will. Under no circumstances will the management or staff be the executor of a resident’s will. If a resident is incapable of making a will, the only body able to act on his or her behalf is the Crown. The management and staff of Penhill will decline any request from a resident and /or his or her family to act as agent, trustee or attorney with regards to the resident’s financial affairs.

We wish to run this home in such a way as not to encourage or promote discriminatory practices, both with regard with residents and staff. Regard will be paid to cultural and religious needs.

We are regulated by a government body called the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Every 6 months an inspection is held by the organisation (both announced and unannounced) to ensure we are providing care for all our residents in a safe environment. The inspectors welcome comments from resident, their families and friends. You can obtain our latest inspection report for your review on request from ourselves or from the CSCI website at http://www.csci.org.uk/.

Complaints procedure
If you wish to make a complaint or comment about any aspect of the services we provide please contact us for a free copy of our complaints procedure or contact our governing body on the below details:

Avon (Bristol North)
300 Aztec West
Almondsbury
South Glos
BS32 4RG
Tel: 01454 454010
Fax: 01454 454047