Research Report: Pandemic Impact on Westgate House Care Centre

This research report investigates the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on Westgate House Care Centre, a family-run facility providing residential and dementia care. The study aims to evaluate the pandemic's effects on the center's overall performance and care quality by exploring trends faced by UK care homes, identifying critical impacting factors, and assessing challenges encountered during the pandemic's introduction. Utilizing a qualitative research approach with an inductive strategy and interpretivism philosophy, the study collects primary data through questionnaires from 50 Westgate House employees and secondary data via literature review. Key findings reveal challenges such as resource scarcity, patient isolation, staff isolation, and workforce shortages. Ethical considerations, including ensuring participant confidentiality and providing fair opportunities, were maintained throughout the research process. The report concludes with recommendations for care homes to effectively manage pandemic situations and improve healthcare outcomes. Access this report and other study resources on Desklib.

Research Project-report

TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE: To identify impact of global pandemic on Westgate house care centre.............................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Background of the study..............................................................................................................3
Aim and objectives......................................................................................................................3
Research questions.......................................................................................................................4
Rationale......................................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
Trends faced by care homes in the UK during Covid-19............................................................4
Factors do impacts care home centres during the pandemic situation.........................................5
Challenges faced by Westgate House Care Centre during the introduction of Covid-19 in the
UK................................................................................................................................................5
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................6
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................10
Reflection and recommendation for alternatives.......................................................................11
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................2
Questionnaire...............................................................................................................................2
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS.............................................................................................2

TITLE: To identify impact of global pandemic on Westgate house care centre.
INTRODUCTION
A pandemic is worldwide spread of new disease as it is an infectious disease and it has affected
people all over the world (Gholami and et.al., 2021). Millions of lives have been directly lost due
to the disease. It has disrupted essential health services as people had fear of getting affected
with this infectious disease. Hospitality sector was the one that get affected the most from this
global pandemic. There were number of local communities including third sector organisations,
individuals and businesses that helped out care homes to overcome this challenge and providing
qualitative healthcare services to patients.
Background of the study
Covid-19 and an infectious spread disease affeted all sectors and it has increased mental
distress among healthcare providers. This study is based on Westgate House Care Centre, family
run care home facility that offers award-winning residential and dementia care. This study will
discuss effectiveness of research methodology in collection of relevant as well as accurate data.
It will discuss sources of collecting both primary as well as secondary data and their impacts on
accomplishing research aim. Ethics also plays a vital role as it enables researchers in completing
research study in a successful as well as in an effective manner.
Aim and objectives
Research aim
To evaluate impacts of global Covid-19 on overall performance and care quality. Study
on Westgate House care centre.
Research objectives
 To develop an understanding of the trends faced by care homes during the phase of
Covid-19.
 To identify various factors that impact the care home centres at pandemic duration.
 To evaluate varied challenges faced by the UK care home centres during Covid-19.
 To recommend different strategies to UK care homes in order to deal with the pandemic
situation effectively.

Research questions
1. What are the trends faced by care homes in the UK during Covid-19?
2. What factors do impacts care home centres during the pandemic situation?
3. What are the challenges faced by Westgate House Care Centre during the introduction of
Covid-19 in the UK?
Rationale
One of the main reasons of selecting this topic is to help out healthcare provider’s in
providing qualitative care services by identifying better ways and strategies of improving health.
It will help out in knowing challenges, faced by healthcare providers of Westgate house care
centre. By conducting this study, people can be made aware about this concept in a detailed
manner and by knowing problems that healthcare providers faced, people can be made
supportive. Overall, it can be said that outcomes of this study will support healthcare providers in
protecting themselves from mental distress and improving health outcomes.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Trends faced by care homes in the UK during Covid-19
According to the Hollinghurst and et.al., (2021) increasing rise of covid-19 was main trend that
affected care house and healthcare providers to the great extent. This increasing and rises in
cases decreased life expectancy of care home residents. Over 5,600 years of life by care home
residents in Scotland who died were reported. Deaths among healthcare providers accounted for
considerable proportion of all mortality in adults. It increases mental distress among them and
they become frustrated.
Ladhani and et.al., (2020) supported this view and said that due to shortage of healthcare
providers and increasing rise of covid-19, increased overall pressure on limited workforce. They
were bind to work for longer hours without taking rest, without having food and rest on time.
They were not allowed to go home due to fear of spreading this infectious disease. This isolation
after working for longer hours made them depressed to the great extent. Along with this, it is also
found that healthcare providers required resources for dealing number of patients and providing
qualitative treatment. Lack of resources also affected them in a negative manner.

Factors do impacts care home centres during the pandemic situation
Banerjee, (2020) There are number of factors that affected care home centres at the time
of pandemic such as: lack of availability of healthcare resources. New Covid-19 guidelines like:
wearing face masks, full PPE kit and maintaining distance from people. IT became difficult for
healthcare providers to deal with number of patients while wearing PPE kit for longer hours.
Initially, it suffocated them, and they were facing problems in breathing. They suffered to the
great extent. Insufficient workforce was other main factor that increased pressure on limited
healthcare providers at the time of pandemic as they had to work for 24 hours without taking
rest.
Ruiz-Frutos and et.al., (2021) argued and said that poor working condition was one of the
main factor that increased challenges for healthcare providers at the time of pandemic. Low
wages and unsafe environment was the main challenge for healthcare providers as they had fear
of getting affected from Covid-19. It made them frustrated and they were unable at that time to
spend time with their family members.
Challenges faced by Westgate House Care Centre during the introduction of Covid-19 in the UK
McCarthy, Potts and Fisher, (2021) stated that healthcare providers of Westgate house
care centre faced number of problems as this home care provides care to dementia people. At the
time of Covid-19, it became difficult to deal with such mental disability of people. Healthcare
providers need an active involvement of family members for getting information related to client
and providing them better care. But at the time of Covid-19, family members were not allowed to
meet with patients and it increased pressure on healthcare providers. They were finding problems
in dealing patients of dementia.
Kunonga and et.al. (2021) supported and stated that healthcare providers were bind to
treat elderly people and isolation at this age is complex. It increases frustration. Healthcare
providers were required to make patients feel valued, comfortable and motivated and it increased
pressure on them. Overall, it can be said that it affected health outcomes and overall care quality.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research strategy: There are 2 types of research that refers form of data collection.
Researcher can collect data either in the form of numbers or in non-numerical. When researcher
collects data in numerical form and statistics then this type is known as quantitative research.
When researcher collects data in the form of non-numerical or in feelings form then it is known
as qualitative research (Bouncken, Qiu, Sinkovics and Kürsten, 2021). For this research study,
researcher has conducted qualitative research as this non-numerical form of data provides in-
depth insight to researcher and accordingly they can make decision. Other reason of selecting
this research type is to know opinion and social context of people regarding research topic.
Research approaches: A plan that consists of steps of broad assumptions to detailed
methods of data gathering, analysis and interpretation is known as research approach. Inductive
and deductive are 2 research approach whose selection relies on the selection of research
strategy. Within inductive research approach, researcher develops a new theory and on the basis
of new developed theory, they accomplish research goals. Whereas, within deductive research
approach, researcher develops an existing theory that is already generated. Outcomes can be
gained on the basis of hypothesis. For this research study, scholar has conducted inductive
research approach because of its association with qualitative research strategy.
Research philosophy: It is a belief about ways by which researcher can collect, analyse
and use data for accomplishing goals. interpretivism and positivism are effective research
philosophies that refers different beliefs about ways of collecting data. In interpretivism research
philosophy, researcher believes that individuals shape behaviour of society and researcher can
gain knowledge by interpreting the meaning that humans attach to their actions (Ismaeel, 2021).
Whereas, in positivism, researcher believes that society shapes individuals’ behaviour. For this
study, researcher has selected interpretivism as with this philosophy, scholar can interpret data in
an effective manner.
Data collection: Data collection is the key of research study as without collecting data,
researcher cannot accomplish goals. There are 2 data collection types such as primary and
secondary. Primary data collection is the one in which researcher collects first-hand data relevant
to research topic. Whereas, secondary refers existing literature and published data. For this
research study, researcher has collected both primary as well as secondary data. Questionnaire,
survey, interview are examples or sources of primary data collection. Books and journals,

literature and libraries are sources of secondary data collection (Pellas, Fotaris, Kazanidis and
Wells, 2019). For primary data, researcher has conducted questionnaire and for Secondary data
collection, literature review has been conducted.
Data analysis: After collecting data, researcher needs to analyse them as it is a process of
making collected data accurate and reliable. For accomplishing goals, researcher needs to have
accurate information so that he can make people believe on it and can increase trust. There are 2
types of data analysis tools such as: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative data analysis tools
are being used when researcher conduct qualitative research and gathers data in the form of non-
numerical. Quantitative data analysis tools are being used when researcher conduct quantitative
research or collect data in numerical form. As this study is qualitative so, researcher has to make
use of qualitative data analysis tool. With thematic analysis tool, qualitative data has been
analysed.
Sampling: When researcher collects primary data then they need to target people and
target people are known as sample. A process of selecting target people and sample is known as
sampling. There are 2 types of sampling methods such a random and non-random. As with name
itself, it can be said that random sampling is the one in which people are being selected randomly
or without setting any selection criteria. Whereas, non-random sampling is the one in which
samples or target people are being selected on the basis of specific selection criteria. For
collecting information regarding impact of covid-19 on performance and care quality of
healthcare providers, researcher has selected 50 employees of Westgate house care randomly.
Ethical consideration: Ethics refer moral principles that enables researchers in knowing the
difference between right and wrong. When researcher has this knowledge then they are more
likely to make study in a successful manner (Dawson, Lignou, Siriwardhana and O’Mathúna,
2019). There are some ethics that need to be considered by researcher for improving image and
making study successfully. Some ethics that have been considered in this study include:
 To give equal and fair opportunities to participants so that they can share their views
openly.
 To maintain confidentiality by protecting personal and professional data safe and secure.
 To not provide inaccurate and unreliable information.
 To collect secondary data that are no older than 5 years.

Theme 1: Main factor that lead challenges for you at the time of pandemic?
Answers Response
Lack of resources availability 10
Isolation of patients 12
Isolation with family 15
Shortage of skilled care provider 13
Interpretation: It is known that healthcare providers of Westgate house care faced
number of problems. For more knowing about challenges, 50 employees of this house
care were asked about the main factor that increase problems for them. In this regard, 10
employees stated that lack of medical resource availability such as: oxygen, face mask
and others was the main factor. 12 employees stated that at the time of pandemic, patients
were not allowed to meet with their family that made them frustrated. Handling such
patients was main challenge. 15 employees stated that healthcare providers were bind as
they were not allowed to go home and after longer working hours they used to live along
and it increased frustration. 13 employees stated that shortage of skilled health care
providers in their house care was the main factor that increased pressure on them.
Theme 2: The most challenging aspect of working as a healthcare provider at the time of
pandemic?
Answers Response
Increasing burden 17
Increasing death rate 13

Increasing responsibility 20
Interpretation: After knowing all factors, it was important to know challenges that they
faced while providing care to patients at the time of covid-19. 17 participants stated that
increasing burden was the most challenging aspect as due to lack of staff, remaining staff
became bind to deal number of patients. They used to work for longer hours without
taking rest. 13 employees stated that increasing death rate made them frustrated. 20
employees stated that healthcare providers were the one whose responsibilities increased
as everyone was hoping that they can do anything. So, increasing pressure from family
sides was challenging aspect for them.
Theme 3: How did covid-19 impact on your mental health and overall health outcome?
Answers Response
It increased insomnia 20
It increased depression 30
Interpretation: Covid-19 affected healthcare providers in emotional and mental manner.
In this regard, 20 employees stated that pandemic increased insomnia problems as for
number of days, they used to sleep only for 1-2 hours. After this pandemic and in
normalise situation, they were facing problems in sleep. 30 employees interpreted that it

increased depression due to longer working hours, due to not having food and sleep on
time and due to staying far away from family.
Theme 4: Recommend effective strategies of decreasing negative impacts of Covid-19
and dealing people in an effective manner?
Interpretation: An open ended question was also being asked from participants in order to
know their views openly. In this regard, some employees suggested that this healthcare sector
should recruit skilled workers so that better care can be provided. Other employees stated that
government should grant this sector so that easier availability of resources can be made as it can
make healthcare providers’ work easier.
DISCUSSION
On the basis of above results, it can clearly be said that covid-19 affected healthcare
providers to the great extent. It affected them in both emotional and mental manner. It is found
from above findings that lack of resources availability, shortage of skilled staff and isolation with
family members were main problems that created problems for healthcare providers at the time
of pandemic (Vafaei and et.al., 2020). In addition, it is also known that covid-19 pandemic
increased stress and depression among them because of working for longer hours without even
taking rest. It was an infectious disease and everyone had fear of getting affected with this
infectious disease so, no one was coming closer to each other’s. It is stated that when people
suffer from such disease then they require mental support and require belongingness and due to
fear of getting affected with this dangerous disease, only healthcare providers were the one who
provided mental support along with medical treatment. This increasing pressure made them
depressed.
Along with these problems, some strategies have also been known that can prevent
healthcare providers from all these problems. Some effective strategies that have been discussed
above include: Increasing recruitment in healthcare sector and house care, making availability of
resources to the great extent and making people aware about healthcare so that they can
cooperate healthcare providers and can improve their health as well. Promotion of
multidisciplinary team working can also help out healthcare providers in dealing with such

situations (Ardebili and et.al., 2021). Overall, it can be said that healthcare providers suffered to
the great extent at the time of covid-19 pandemic.
Reflection and recommendation for alternatives
In regard to this research study, I can say that this study increased my knowledge to the
great extent and I learned number of new things. Everyone has great knowledge about Covid-19
but there are number of new things that I came to know about. I came to know about number of
problems that healthcare providers faced at that time and how difficult was it for them to handle
number of infectious people. I found out some factors that increased pressure on them such as
lack of cooperation by family members, shortage of care providers and others.
I want to suggest researcher about alternative research types and methods by which he
should have conducted study. I believe that by conducting study in quantitative manner, he could
have gathered data in a numerical and statistical number. It is the topic on which we need to have
data in numerical form. But on the other hand, it can also be said that analysis of numerical data
can be complex and time consuming so, for saving time and completing study in a timely
manner, qualitative study has been conducted.
RECOMMENDATIONS
On the basis of above discussion, it can be suggested to home care that they should hire
more skilled employees and they should work in partnership with such institutions who want to
help patients voluntarily. By doing so, they can improve overall health of patients and it can
decrease work pressure (Marra, Hoelzle, Davis and Schwartz, 2020.). They may find easier in
making a balance between personal and professional life that is important for their improved
mental health.
In regard to research study, it can be suggested to researcher that he should have collected
some published data to the great extent so that he can know accurate information regarding
impact of covid-19 pandemic on mental health of care providers. He should have selected sample
of different house care. It could help them out in developing strategies for having getting positive
health outcomes and decreasing mental health problems.
CONCLUSION
It has been summarised from the above study that covid-19 pandemic was main challenging
environmental factors and disease that affected people all over the world to the great extent. It
has discussed mental health impact of covid-19 pandemic on health care providers such as:

increasing work pressure, increasing depression due to staying away from family members and
working for longer hours. This study has then suggested some strategies that can help out
healthcare providers in improving their health and providing qualitative care without getting
affected. Research methodology also plays a vital role in conducting study in a successful
manner. It consists of number of elements that make scholars able in collecting as well as
analysing relevant data and accomplishing main research aim. Ethics also make researcher able
in improving their image, completing study with effectiveness and increasing their knowledge.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ardebili, M.E. and et.al., 2021. Healthcare providers experience of working during the COVID-
19 pandemic: a qualitative study. American journal of infection control, 49(5), pp.547-
554.
Banerjee, D., 2020. ‘Age and ageism in COVID-19’: Elderly mental health-care vulnerabilities
and needs. Asian journal of psychiatry, 51, p.102154.
Bouncken, R.B., Qiu, Y., Sinkovics, N. and Kürsten, W., 2021. Qualitative research: extending
the range with flexible pattern matching. Review of Managerial Science. 15(2). pp.251-
273.
Dawson, A., Lignou, S., Siriwardhana, C. and O’Mathúna, D.P., 2019. Why research ethics
should add retrospective review. BMC Medical Ethics. 20(1). pp.1-8.
Gholami, M. and et.al., 2021. COVID-19 and healthcare workers: A systematic review and
meta-analysis. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 104. pp.335-346.
Hollinghurst, J. and et.al., 2021. The impact of COVID-19 on adjusted mortality risk in care
homes for older adults in Wales, UK: a retrospective population-based cohort study for
mortality in 2016–2020. Age and ageing, 50(1), pp.25-31.
Ismaeel, M., 2021. Philosophical paradigms underlying discourse analysis: methodological
implications. In Handbook of Qualitative Research Methodologies in Workplace
Contexts. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Kunonga, T.P. and et.al., 2021. Effects of Digital Technologies on Older People’s Access to
Health and Social Care: Umbrella Review. Journal of medical Internet research, 23(11),
p.e25887.
Ladhani, S.N. and et.al., 2020. High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in care homes
affected by COVID-19: prospective cohort study, England. EClinicalMedicine, 28,
p.100597.
Marra, D.E., Hoelzle, J.B., Davis, J.J. and Schwartz, E.S., 2020. Initial changes in
neuropsychologists clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey
study. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. 34(7-8). pp.1251-1266.
McCarthy, H., Potts, H.W. and Fisher, A., 2021. Physical activity behavior before, during, and
after COVID-19 restrictions: longitudinal smartphone-tracking study of adults in the
United Kingdom. Journal of medical Internet research. 23(2). p.e 23701.
Pellas, N., Fotaris, P., Kazanidis, I. and Wells, D., 2019. Augmenting the learning experience in
primary and secondary school education: A systematic review of recent trends in
augmented reality game-based learning. Virtual Reality. 23(4). pp.329-346.
Ruiz-Frutos, C. and et.al., 2021. Health-related factors of psychological distress during the
COVID-19 pandemic among non-health workers in Spain. Safety Science, 133,
p.104996.
Vafaei, H. and et.al., 2020. Obstetrics healthcare providers’ mental health and quality of life
during COVID-19 pandemic: multicenter study from eight cities in Iran. Psychology
Research and Behavior Management, 13, p.563.
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APPENDIX
Questionnaire
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
1. According to you what was the main factor that lead challenges for you at the time of
pandemic?
 Lack of resources availability
 Isolation of patients
 Isolation with family
 Shortage of skilled care providers
2. What was the most challenging aspect of working as a healthcare provider at the time of
pandemic.
 Increasing burden
 Increasing death rate
 Increasing responsibility
3. How did covid-19 impact on your mental health and overall health outcome?
 It increased insomnia
 It increased depression
4. Suggest effective strategies of decreasing negative impacts of Covid-19 and dealing
people in an effective manner?
........
2

3