Enter and view visit to Westacre Care Home
We visited Westacre Nursing Home in Winchester on 16 July 2026. Westacre Nursing Home provides nursing care for older people and others with complex care needs, including people living with dementia and delirium. At the time of our visit, the home was supporting 42 residents and was focused on providing person-centred care in a safe and supportive environment.
The Enter and View Programme
Enter and View visits are part of Healthwatch Hampshire's statutory role. They allow trained Healthwatch representatives to visit health and social care services, observe how care is delivered, and speak with people who use services, their relatives and staff. These visits help us understand what is working well and identify opportunities for improvement from the perspective of those with direct experience of care.
Insights from Our Visit
Our visit provided valuable insights into daily life at Westacre Nursing Home. We observed a calm, welcoming atmosphere and heard positive feedback from residents, relatives and staff. Many people spoke highly of the kindness, professionalism and responsiveness of staff, and we observed respectful and supportive interactions throughout the home.
Resident Experiences
Residents told us they generally felt safe, supported and well cared for. Many spoke positively about the staff, activities, food and overall environment. We also heard about the importance of maintaining independence, access to outdoor spaces and opportunities for social interaction.
A Supportive Environment
We were particularly impressed by the home's dementia-friendly garden, which provides accessible outdoor space for residents and visitors. The home also offered a wide range of activities and outings, helping residents remain engaged and connected with the wider community. Throughout the building we observed personal touches that contributed to a homely and comfortable environment.
Staff and Care Coordination
Staff described a positive workplace culture where they felt listened to and supported. We also heard about strong links with healthcare professionals, including local GP and pharmacy services. Family feedback highlighted the value of coordinated care and effective communication, with one relative describing the support provided by the home as life-changing.
Continuous Improvement
During the visit, we learned about improvements that have been made to the home in recent years, including environmental enhancements, governance improvements and investment in resident facilities. We also identified opportunities for further development, including supporting residents who may feel socially isolated, continuing to address temperature management during hot weather and improving odour management in some areas of the home.
Conclusion
Overall, our visit to Westacre Nursing Home highlighted many examples of good practice and a strong commitment to providing caring, responsive and person-centred support. The positive feedback from residents, relatives and staff reflected a service that is striving to continuously improve while maintaining a welcoming and supportive environment. Thank you to the managers and staff for welcoming us in.
For more detailed findings and recommendations, you can read our report here:
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