Blackthorns

Although my mum was only in the home for a short time (5 weeks), the care she received was excellent. The staff were always friendly to Mum and to the family when we visited. The manager would always keep us up to date with the way Mum may have been since the last visit and the staff had time to feed her (although at her age she ate little) and she did put on a bit of weight. The family were pleased she went to Blackthorns.

The staff which we interacted with today were kind, warm, empathetic, friendly, caring and supportive. The room is clean and has all the necessities. Anything additionally needed, is courteously addressed and provided. We brought flowers, and a vase was found; it's that sort of attention to small detail, without grudging the request or how busy they seem. The staff treat the residents as people and as they would like to be treated themselves.

My mother was placed at Blackthorns Care Home following an operation after falling which worsened her dementia. I was phoned when she arrived and have been kept up to date with all developments since. All of the staff are diligent and friendly, nothing is ever too much trouble. The home itself is spotless and runs like a well-oiled machine, a great credit to the management. My mother and I are very satisfied with Blackthorns and have no complaints whatsoever.

The care home manager and all her staff went the extra mile to settle my mum into a warm and comfortable environment. She has been very well cared for and definitely well-fed. Thank you, Blackthorns. My 97-year-old mother is totally compos mentis but has struggled with the ratio of dementia to non-dementia residents (very few) which has meant that she stays in her room most of the time. The staff do their best to give Mum some conversation time but obviously, they have their daily duties to undertake.

All the staff have been friendly and efficient. A big thank you to them all!

I am very pleased with the home. My husband is looked after very well and I could not wish for a better place.

My sister and I dropped my mum off to you ten days ago. We were impressed immediately with the cleanliness of the care home. The staff were friendly and helpful and always informative when I phoned up to see how Mum was doing. We will definitely keep Blackthorns on top of the list for future respite stays or even for a more permanent stay.

My husband came to Blackthorns from the hospital as he was not fit enough to come home with carers, he was unable to stand. During his stay there he was only taken out of his room twice. There never seemed enough staff on and many were young, inexperienced or agency. Sometimes he would have to wait more than an hour to go to the toilet. I felt duty-bound to go to him every lunchtime to help him with his lunch and make sure he was put to bed for an afternoon sleep. I then used to go to see him at teatime to make sure he was getting up. When I spoke to the manager about anything she would write in her book and invariably she did nothing about it. One day she called me to the office with her deputy, she looked me straight in the face and told me I was the problem with my husband. I was heartbroken. I do not cry but when I got home I dissolved into floods of tears. The next morning I went in the home at about 11am, my husband was in the dining room, head on the table asleep, and left there.

I would recommend Blackthorns to anyone looking for a home to care and support a relative who have unfortunately reached a time in their life where they need that extra help and find living at home difficult to continue with.

My first impressions of Blackthorn's Care Home is of a caring, friendly, clean and professionally run establishment. The staff are all friendly and willing to talk generally and specifically about any matter one raises. They are prepared to mark special occasions for individual residents and make them and their visitors feel they are part of the bigger family.

Personally, I have found the staff very engaging and helpful, particularly the manager who always is very welcoming.

My wife was brought to Blackthorns after a fairly long stay in the hospital. I visited her every day she was residing in Blackthorns and found that the care she was receiving from the staff was excellent, especially on the day of her discharge from the hospital when the designated transport failed to arrive.

I have been going up there for 15 years, and I find it a good place to be. All I know is she likes it there, Mum always has done, and it makes me happy.

My wife is attended to by staff with both respect and kindness. Whenever I have needed assistance, the staff have dealt with the situation quickly and efficiently.

I spent a long time thinking about why I should not mark excellent in all the boxes but to be honest the home is so well run, I cannot find any fault. All the residents have their own rooms and no member of staff can enter without knocking and being invited in. When I go all the staff are friendly and there is a feeling of being part of one big happy family. Where my girlfriend was before in sheltered housing there was a toxic atmosphere and she became very depressed, buts since she has been in this home I have seen a big change in her as she is now more outgoing and wants to help in any way that she can and that is because the staff makes her feel she is part of something and that she belongs there.

Thank you.

We always feel welcome to visit.

She has been a resident at Blackthorns for eleven and a half years. During that time, we saw many changes in staff and management. We have always been very satisfied with the care and consideration given to her, and staff have always been extremely helpful to us. The home has recently been renovated throughout, and the accommodation provided is extremely clean. Care throughout the pandemic, although tedious to visitors and residents, has resulted in the home being kept clean of infection. They have been excellent in helping us cope with her recent death.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of staff involved in running such a fantastic establishment.

My dad was in Blackthorns a few years ago and the improvement since then is quite remarkable.