Read our published Enter and View Report for Castle Dene Respite Centre

On Monday the 5th of June 2025 Healthwatch Newcastle carried out an announced Enter and View visit at Castle Dene Respite Centre, followed by a second visit on the 23rd of June.

During each visit, our Enter and View Representatives engaged with a different group of people who use the service, as well as staff. They identified that our usual survey would not be suitable for the communication needs of some service users, and so the survey was adapted to make sure everyone had the time and opportunity to share their experiences. 

Since Castle Dene is a respite service, carers are not usually present at the centre, so the management team provided them with our survey and contact information via email, giving them the opportunity to feedback directly and independently.

Based on the feedback we received and our direct observations, Healthwatch Newcastle made a number of recommendations, including:

• Ensure all staff are kept up-to-date after staff meetings.
• Ensure relevant policies and procedures are communicated to carers on arrival.
• Continue to provide person centred care and expand on activities and personal interests of service users.

You can click here to find the full report, which includes a detailed breakdown of feedback and survey responses, as well as a response from Castle Dene Respite Centre's service provider.