Downs House is situated amid beautiful Hampshire countryside, less than a mile from the thriving market town of Petersfield. It was established in 1976 and has been providing high quality care to the people of Petersfield and the surrounding villages ever since.
The accommodation consists of 46 tastefully appointed and fully furnished bedrooms. Residents can make use of the delightful public areas, which include a large lounge, sun lounge and orangery which open onto a lovely landscaped gardens, there is wheelchair access throughout the home and gardens.
At Downs House carers pride themselves on the exceptional levels of personalised care they offer, looking at the needs of the individual and providing stimulating physical and mental activities, fresh, nutritious and tasty home-cooked meals, outings, theatre trips, musical events, art, crafts and many more.
Group: Western Healthcare Ltd
Person in charge: Amanda Murray (Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services: Hampshire County Council (click for contact details)
Type of Service: Care Home only (Residential Care) – Privately Owned , Registered for a maximum of 49 Service Users
Registered Care Categories*: Dementia • Old Age • Physical Disability
Admission Information: Over 65. Ages 65+.
Single Rooms: 43
Shared Rooms: 3
Rooms with ensuite WC: 43
Weekly Charges Guide: Personal Care Single £820 – £1040 , Personal Care Shared (per person) £600 – £600 (These prices are only a guideline, please contact Downs House to find out the exact price for your requirements.)
Facilities & Services: Day Care • Respite Care • Physiotherapy • Own GP if required • Own Furniture if required • Smoking not permitted • Minibus or other transport • Lift • Wheelchair access • Gardens for residents • Bar/Cafe on premises • Phone Point in own room/Mobile • Television point in own room • Residents Internet Access
Latest Care Quality Commission* Report on Downs House: click here
* Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.
The Review Score of 8.9 (maximum of 10) for Downs House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.
a) The Average Rating is 4.4 out of 5 from 12 Reviews over all time. This Average Rating is also the rating value for Downs House in Google's Search Results - more info
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 5 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 4.392 for Downs House is calculated as follows: ( (83 Excellents x 5) + (39 Goods x 4) + (15 Satisfactorys x 3) + (6 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 143 Ratings = 4.392
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 4.51 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Downs House is based on 5 positive Reviews in the last 12 months and is calculated as follows:
3 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 4
Target of 9.8 positive Reviews (49 registered maximum number of service users ÷ 5). 5 Reviews ÷ 9.8 Target = 0.510
When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
Downs House has a Review Score of 8.9 (8.902) from 12 Reviews
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Tony W (Son of Resident) on Friday 16 March 2018. Relates to February 2018.
We have always found Downs House to be a very happy and relaxed home, with caring staff, good rooms and food much improved in recent times, my Mum was very happy there.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Clive E (Son of Resident) on Monday 29 January 2018. Relates to January 2018.
My father maintained his independence into his 99th year. But relying on others for his shopping and cleaning. However, with a tendency to fall and accidents in the kitchen full-time care became the only option.
The room and facilities at Downs House could not be bettered and after a two week totally flexible trial period he did not want to leave. The staff are hardworking and attentive. There are activities every day and twice a day. Families are encouraged to visit and to be involved. It could not be better and my father is very happy and at peace with himself.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Annie C (Daughter of Resident) on Friday 12 January 2018. Relates to December 2017.
Downs House struck me as being different from the moment I walked in the door. Very personal, friendly and more like a home than a care home. Although it has some of the normal issues - bad laundry service/average food, the important bits are first class ie. the residents are well looked after and the staff seem to really care. The home is run by a family and this shows in the feel the care home has.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Elisabeth M (Daughter of Resident) on Tuesday 9 January 2018. Relates to December 2017.
My comments are influenced by 2 factors. 1) My mother is diabetic 2) she has moved to a home in Norfolk which is near my sister but seems superior to Downs House.
The care received from carers was good, with appropriate referral to health professionals, especially with her diabetes.
However the catering arrangements seemed unimaginative especially with regards to a diabetic diet. Choices were minimal - a disappointment where food intake is so important.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Neither Unlikely or Likely
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Paul Rogers, Managing Director at Downs House responded to this review on 10 Jan 2018:
Dear Elizabeth, I am sorry that you felt that our service did not live up to our usual high standards in respect of the diabetic food provided for your mother. Our chefs always aim to provide wholesome nutritious food for all our clients whatever their dietary needs, including diabetic meals and desserts and even homemade diabetic cakes. We will take this opportunity to review our provision and see if it can be further improved.
Review submitted from a Website Submission by Katie F (Granddaughter of Resident) on Thursday 14 December 2017. Relates to December 2017.
It is hard to find the words to say how truly wonderful Downs House has been. A sign on the wall says 'The residents do not live in our workplace, we work in their home' and that couldn't be a truer statement of how things feel. It is genuinely like visiting Nana at home - the carers, management and owners all treat her (and us) like family. The food is freshly made (and very tasty too!) and there is no end of interesting activities. It was a very difficult decision to put Nana into a care home, but the choice of Downs House has taken away any worry. She is loved and cared for like a member of the family, and there is nothing more we could ask of the wonderful team here.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Bridget M (Daughter of Resident) on Wednesday 13 December 2017. Relates to December 2017.
Like all families we were concerned about putting our beloved Mum, suffering from dementia, in a care home at the aged of 87 but we shouldn't have worried because we were so blessed when she moved into Downs House in Petersfield. We could not have wished for a more wonderful group of people to care for her and us. She was warmly welcomed and constantly reassured from the first moment she arrived. All staff show genuine care, patience and affection for their residents.
The home is owned by a family run company and all residents are made to feel part of that family. The Manager leads by example, demonstrating commitment, professionalism and compassion which is emulated by all staff we encountered, throughout cleaning, maintenance, kitchen and caring staff. The food is excellent with high nutritional value, attractively presented and no request is too much trouble. All this, together with a comprehensive, varied programme of activities mean I could not recommend this Care home enough.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by B P (Son of Resident) on Thursday 13 April 2017. Relates to October 2016.
Since an extra 12 rooms have been added to this home, there seems to be less staff.
When asked if they could do something for a resident, it seems to be too much trouble.
Rooms are not kept as clean as they should be.
En suite is not kept up to the best of appearances.
There should be a better system to get in, rather than have to wait outside in the cold and wet until a queue has built up. (Card access would be better.)
Perhaps more staff are required.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Neither Unlikely or Likely
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Paul Rogers, Managing Director at Downs House responded to this review on 21 Apr 2017:
Dear BP, thank you for your review. I am sorry that after many happy years with us you felt that following the building of our new extension, the care we provided for your mother was not up to our usual standards. The home was always fully staffed, however, due to the exceptional demand for our new rooms, there was a degree of disruption at that time, for which I apologise. You will be pleased to know that we are now in advanced discussions with a door control supplier and hope to provide entry fobs to vetted family members soon.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by M W (Resident) on Thursday 30 March 2017. Relates to January 2017.
Small room but adequate facilities.
Thankful to be accommodated at such short notice.
Staff friendly and cheerful and helpful.
Quite a joy - a bath! Taken and helped by a member of staff. A very pleasant change from my usual shower.
Appreciated the choice of meal in my room or dining room. I did try the dining room once but found the company at the table a little difficult.
Very pleasant communal sitting room with adequate room to enjoy my visitor, in comparative privacy.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by M H (Wife of Resident) on Wednesday 29 March 2017. Relates to March 2017.
Downs House has cared for my husband for more than 6 years. He is well cared for, he has many health problems and needs a lot of understanding and caring. The staff are always there for him and his family. We have to trust Downs House to give him the care and help he requires every night and day.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by M T (Son of Resident) on Sunday 19 March 2017. Relates to March 2017.
My healthy, active 89-year-old mother had a fall, broke her leg and the resulting hospitalisation brought on 3 strokes and onset vascular dementia. The manager and her team took a confused and upset old woman and helped her become much more the calm, warm and caring old lady that she is. Whilst she will never be the same, Downs House and their care and calm security have encouraged her to live back at home with visiting carers. Thank you.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by E C (Daughter of Resident) on Friday 4 November 2016. Relates to September 2016.
The staff at Downs House are so lovely from the manager to all the staff. They have treated Mum with such dignity and been kind and caring. When Mum has been ill they are wonderful popping in and out all day checking on her, nothing seems to much trouble. The food is tasty and she can have the amount she wants and ask for extra if she wants it. I know we are paying for this but the home staff have been so kind and helped make a very difficult situation a lot easier not just for mum but for me also. She has been here for a eighteen months now.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Linda F (Daughter of Resident) on Friday 21 October 2016. Relates to October 2016.
My mother came for one-week respite care whilst I went on holiday. Standard of care excellent and staff superb. All very willing to do all they could to ensure all her needs were met and all was done to make sure she had a very happy and comfortable stay. Staff all very kind and thoughtful nothing too much trouble. I would highly recommend.
How likely would you be to recommend Downs House? Extremely Likely
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There are currently no Care Home Idol entrants who have performed at Downs House