Blackthorns

My mother had severe dementia and in the 3 1/2 years she was at Blackthorns she was treated with kindness and empathy and always looked well kept and remembered to put her beads (necklace)round her neck. Mum always loved laughter and smiles which she always had and carers had for her - whenever I visited, which was very frequently, Mum was always happy. I have never had any regrets about my mum being at Blackthorns, only pluses and happiness.

I have found the manager and the staff to be very approachable and helpful and the general all-round care provided to be of the highest standard.

Thank you, everyone, for all the care you give my Mum.

My mum has settled in so well, the staff are so helpful and kind and can't do enough for the residents. I feel very comfortable with Blackthorns and the care and attention they are giving to Mum and how they keep me informed of how she is doing when I visit.

Management and staff provide excellent care.

I am very impressed with the care and support that my Mum and Dad get in the care home. The Manager could not be more helpful or supportive. She has been brilliant since the first assessment of my parents until the present day.

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.

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.

I recommend the home.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

All staff are friendly, nice and they do what you ask them to do. Nothing is too much trouble.

The care has been exceptional, the home is clean. I cannot smell anything malodorous. It is like coming home. It has a lovely atmosphere.