Oxford House Nursing Home in Slough recently welcomed Healthwatch for visits on 29th October and 4th November 2025. The purpose of the visits was to observe what is working well at the home and identify areas for improvement, with a particular focus on independence and choice for residents.
Healthwatch is an independent network of local organisations covering 150 areas across England, giving people a voice to help improve health and social care services. As Oxford House has residents from Bracknell Forest, Slough, Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead, Healthwatch Bracknell Forest conducted this Enter and View visit to understand residents’ experiences and identify what’s working well and what could be improved.
Key findings at a glance
What’s working well:
- Residents and families are overwhelmingly positive about the quality of care, with many praising the kindness and dedication of staff
- The home provides a welcoming, clean environment with good natural light and well-maintained gardens
- Food quality is consistently good with varied menus and flexibility to accommodate individual preferences
- Staff feel well-supported and valued, with low turnover and a strong team culture
- The home achieved a Platinum award for GSF end-of-life care in September 2024
- Strong, open relationships between staff, residents and families
Areas for improvement:
- Some accessibility features need attention, including more explicit marking of hot and cold taps
- Grab rails and toilet seats need a better colour contrast for visibility
- Additional support during activity sessions would be beneficial
- A quiet room is necessary for noise-sensitive residents (already planned)
About Enter and View
Enter and View is a programme that enables local Healthwatch organisations to visit health and social care services to observe care and collect the experiences of people who use services, their carers, and relatives. It is not an inspection – that is the role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Instead, it offers a layperson’s perspective on what is observed during visits.
What the visit found
A warm, caring environment
The Healthwatch team found Oxford House to be a welcoming home with a family atmosphere. Using the King’s Fund Dementia-Friendly Environmental Assessment Tool, the home met the vast majority of criteria for creating a supportive environment.
The approach to the home is welcoming with well-maintained grounds. Inside, the entrance and hallways were clean, tidy, and free from unpleasant odours. Natural light floods the communal areas, particularly the bright conservatory dining room, which offers views over the garden.
The secure garden features lawn, flowers, shrubs and seating areas. During the visit, the team met a resident who particularly loved spending time outdoors – even in the rain – with staff having purchased a heated blanket to ensure his comfort. This exemplified the personalised approach to care at Oxford House.
Quality care and strong relationships
Residents spoke positively about their experience:
“Love it here. Love the people and the staff in particular.”
“Pretty good really. Good supply of tea! They let you do what you want.”
Families were equally complimentary:
“My father has been at Oxford House for just over 18 months. My family are extremely happy with the high level of care he receives.”
“This is a very good care home and all the family are very happy with everything. Well done all!”
All relatives reported feeling heard by staff and management, knowing whom to contact with questions, and being kept informed about their loved ones’ health and well-being.
Food and dining
The team conducted detailed mealtime observations and found a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere. Food was served hot with good portion sizes, and staff knew residents’ individual preferences. The menu offers daily choices, with the kitchen happy to prepare alternatives for those who don’t like what’s on offer.
Residents gave positive feedback:
“Love it. Very tasty.”
“I’ve had my own choice of food a few times when I didn’t like what was on the menu.”
The team observed staff providing patient, kind support to residents who needed help with eating, chatting pleasantly and encouraging residents with memory problems in a gentle manner.
Activities and daily life
Oxford House has a dedicated activities team providing a varied programme of entertainment, crafts, games, and outdoor activities. An activities schedule is displayed and updated weekly.
Independent residents can go out if they wish, whilst others enjoy spending time in the garden or participating in group activities. Some staff and relatives suggested that additional support during busy activity sessions would be helpful; the home is reviewing this.
Staff – The heart of the home
Staff at Oxford House have been with the home for 18-26 years, indicating excellent retention. They described feeling well-supported and trained, with many referring to the team as “a family”:
“We have excellent support from our manager and the owner. When I was off work for several weeks I got moral and financial support.”
“There is always love and respect in Oxford House.”
Staff confirmed they have regular meetings, access to training, and an open-door policy with management. The home provides free meals for staff and recognises long service and outstanding contributions through employee awards nominated by residents and families.
Recommendations and our response
The Healthwatch team made six recommendations, all of which Oxford House has welcomed and responded to with clear action plans:
- More explicit marking of hot and cold taps – An internal audit will be conducted to ensure all taps are clearly marked.
- Contrasting colours for grab rails and toilet seats – Work has already commenced and will be completed by January 2026.
- Involving residents and families in the garden project – This will be discussed at the next residents and relatives meeting.
- Additional support for activities – The activities team is being reviewed to expand its capacity.
- Development of a quiet room – Plans are underway to create a sensory and relaxation room in the new year.
- Improving communication and teamwork – This will be discussed at team meetings and individual supervisions to ensure all staff voices are heard.
Amanda McMahon, Manager at Oxford House, said:
“We are delighted with the positive feedback from residents, families, and the Healthwatch team. It’s wonderful to hear that the care, dedication, and family atmosphere we strive to create come through so clearly. We take all recommendations seriously and have already begun implementing improvements. We’re committed to continuous improvement and providing the highest quality care for our residents.”
Read the full report
The complete Enter and View report contains detailed observations, additional quotes from residents and families, photographs of the home’s facilities, and comprehensive information about all aspects of care at Oxford House.
Download the full reportAbout Oxford House Nursing Home
Oxford House is a family-run nursing home in Slough that opened in 1980 in a former vicarage. The home provides care for up to 34 residents and serves the communities of Slough, Windsor, Ascot, Maidenhead, and Bracknell Forest.
For more information about Oxford House Nursing Home, please contact us at info@oxfordhousecare.com or call 01753 533 554.
Healthwatch Bracknell Forest produced this report following visits on 29th October and 4th November 2025.