Blackthorns can be found in the rural village of Halstead. There are daily activities following a varied programme, but carers listen carefully to what you would like to do to make the day enjoyable. The home has secure courtyard gardens where carers encourage outside activities.
Support services are arranged to meet your personal and individual needs through a detailed care plan process.
Next door there is the Warrens Day Centre so whether you are looking for long term, short term or just a social day it can be found at Blackthorns.
Group: Runwood Homes Ltd
Person in charge: Joy Hilario (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services: Essex County Council (click for contact details)
Type of Service: Care Home only (Residential Care) – Privately Owned , Registered for a maximum of 62 Service Users
Registered Care Categories*: Dementia • Old Age • Physical Disability • Sensory Impairment
Specialist Care Categories: Alzheimer's
Admission Information: Ages 50+.
Single Rooms: 56
Shared Rooms: 3
Rooms with ensuite WC: 21
Facilities & Services: Respite Care • Own GP if required • Own Furniture if required • Wheelchair access • Gardens for residents • Bar/Cafe on premises
Latest Care Quality Commission* Report on Blackthorns: click here
* Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.
The Review Score of 8.4 (maximum of 10) for Blackthorns is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.
a) The Average Rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 16 Reviews over all time. This Average Rating is also the rating value for Blackthorns in Google's Search Results - more info
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.1 out of 5 from 4 positive Reviews in the last 12 months.
a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating of all Reviews over all time. For each review the Care Home / service is rated Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Poor or Very Poor on a number of areas eg Staff, Management etc. The Care Home receives points for each rating as follows: Excellent = 5. Good = 4. Satisfactory = 3. Poor = 2. Very Poor = 1. These points are added up and then divided by the total number of completed ratings to generate the average rating.
The Average Rating of 4.309 for Blackthorns is calculated as follows: ( (80 Excellents x 5) + (90 Goods x 4) + (21 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 191 Ratings = 4.309
b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 12 months. If there are no Positive Reviews in the last 12 months, then 2.5 points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 2 years. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with 'Extremely Likely' or 'Likely' in answer to the question 'How likely are you to recommend this Care Home to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?'
The 5 points available are broken down as follows:
4 points are available for the first 5 Positive Reviews, 3 points for the first Positive Review and then 0.25 Points for each of the next 4 Positive Reviews.
1 point is available for reaching a target number of Positive Reviews based on 20% of the number of registered maximum number of service users. If the target is partially reached then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home with 50 registered maximum number of service users has a target of 10 Positive Reviews, if it has 10 or more Positive Reviews it will receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews will receive 0.7 points.
If there are no Positive Reviews in the last 12 months, then 2.5 points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 2 years. The calculation is the same as above, except the points are divided by 2.
The 4.073 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Blackthorns is based on 4 positive Reviews in the last 12 months and is calculated as follows:
3 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 3.75
Target of 12.4 positive Reviews (62 registered maximum number of service users ÷ 5). 4 Reviews ÷ 12.4 Target = 0.323
When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
Blackthorns has a Review Score of 8.4 (8.382) from 16 Reviews
Review submitted from a Postal Card by C M (Sister-in-law of Resident) on Friday 6 April 2018. Relates to March 2018.
Since my sister-in-law has been a resident of Blackthorns in Halstead, we have been very pleased with all aspects of her care, management and staff show the utmost care and consideration for all residents. We are kept fully informed of any problems. We would recommend Blackthorns Halstead highly.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Y G (Daughter of Resident) on Tuesday 3 April 2018. Relates to February 2018.
The staff at Blackthorns have always been very caring towards my Dad and I thank them all for that. My only complaint is that new staff do not seem to stay long and I feel particularly with dementia residents need continuous care. I am sure if you could pay a little more you would retain staff.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Chris B (Daughter of Resident) on Friday 17 November 2017. Relates to November 2017.
The permanent staff are very caring, helpful and friendly and look after my mother well. Once it was necessary to report a problem which was dealt with immediately. The quality of food at times could be better.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Donald H (Resident) on Tuesday 14 November 2017. Relates to November 2017.
I recommend the home.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Juie R (Granddaughter of Resident) on Wednesday 1 March 2017. Relates to January 2017.
We have been extremely pleased with the level of care which has been given to my grandmother since she came to Blackthorns three months ago. The staff have been very professional at all times and any concerns have been dealt with immediately. We would not hesitate to recommend this care home to other people.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Mary W (Resident) on Wednesday 23 November 2016. Relates to October 2016.
I am happy enough to stay in Blackthorns I am not quite sure if I can cope when I go home. I feel that I am safer and well looked after here in Blackthorns. All the staff are very kind and helpful. The home manager is lovely and so with the deputy manager, I think they are priceless.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Sheila R (Resident) on Wednesday 19 October 2016. Relates to October 2016.
My stay at Blackthorns has been pleasant and comfortable. I enjoyed joining various activities and the company of my new found friends. I extremely enjoyed our day out at the garden centre in Braintree. Lovely home.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Gordon F (Nephew of Resident) on Tuesday 27 September 2016. Relates to September 2016.
My aunt is 94 and virtually bedridden and has been at Blackthorns for two and a half years. Her needs are therefore centred on the room she is in. The staff are friendly and reasonably attentive to her calls for assistance, she is extremely forgetful and makes many calls for attention. Most of the time she is in a chair next to her bed when not in bed. She especially needs to be kept clean when and after feeding this puts the greatest demand on staff and can be inconsistent. She receives prompt medical attention and the staff always phone me if she falls or has any medical issues.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Peter C (Son of Resident) on Wednesday 31 August 2016. Relates to July 2016.
We have found the staff at Blackthorns to be very caring and keen to assist the residents. Activities seem to be well planned and play a very big part of my mother's day. She enjoys her life in this home and feels very safe and comfortable in her environment.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Dawn R (Daughter of Resident) on Friday 26 August 2016. Relates to August 2016.
Blackthorns was our only choice of a care home for my mother, we didn't want her to go anywhere else. The home is lovely and all the staff really very good, couldn't be better, so friendly and welcoming.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Peter John J (Husband of Resident) on Wednesday 17 August 2016. Relates to July 2016.
The experience of my wife here is very happy. Every time I see her at Blackthorns she looks happy and comfortable. The home allowed a canary bird to accompany my wife and we bring our dog to see her as well.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Josephine B (Daughter of Resident) on Thursday 7 July 2016. Relates to May 2016.
Great care and attention to residents but still not enough staff. This has been acknowledged after various meetings but still no new staff employed. There are too many bedridden residents in this home and they take up so much time that the other residents do not get enough, but the activities and the management try extremely hard and all staff are very dedicated. More staff required.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Jack S (Husband of Resident) on Thursday 2 June 2016. Relates to May 2016.
It is pleasing to say that the care home is not clinical, simply homely, whilst providing all the necessary clinical and medical support required. The attention of staff and management cannot be faulted, albeit they must occasionally be under extreme pressure, however a happy and pleasing atmosphere always seems to exist.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by J P (Resident) on Wednesday 13 January 2016. Relates to January 2016.
All staff are friendly, nice and they do what you ask them to do. Nothing is too much trouble.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by T N (Daughter of Resident) on Wednesday 13 January 2016. Relates to January 2016.
Blackthorns is an excellent care home, my mum likes being there, the staff are all very caring. The rooms are all kept clean and mum is very well looked after.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by P H (Daughter of Resident) on Wednesday 13 January 2016. Relates to January 2016.
The care has been exceptional, the home is clean. I cannot smell anything malodorous. It is like coming home. It has a lovely atmosphere.
How likely would you be to recommend Blackthorns? Extremely Likely
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February 2018
April 2017
February 2016
There are currently no Care Home Idol entrants who have performed at Blackthorns