Bridge Haven Care Centre

The decision to place a loved family member into care is always going to be a difficult one but the staff at Bridge Haven allay concerns; compassionate, caring and kind they go out of their way to build relationships with their residents as well as looking after them.
The building has a lovely warm and welcoming atmosphere with bright airy lounges, family and visitors can access kitchenettes to make hot/cold drinks although staff always offer, my father's room is well furnished and cleaned to the highest standard. A real "home from home" feeling with a cinema room and "snug" by way of bonus.

Carers are always helpful and attentive. They engage with the residents and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. There's always something going on and my dad loves it there. The food is good too and the rooms are spacious and nicely decorated. All in all, it is much nicer than other care homes I have visited and the complete opposite from the 'Gods waiting room' atmosphere in most care homes.

Mum has been at Bridge Haven for 13 months. The care provided is first rate. The accommodation is bright and clean and all the staff are friendly, caring and in my opinion ensure the best possible relaxed atmosphere for Mum and the other residents to be able to enjoy the environment as best they can. It is also reassuring that members of staff display a marked degree of understanding of Dementia which has proved invaluable to me when I have needed some reassurance, albeit on rare occasions, regarding Mum's well-being.

My mother's care at the Haven has been really good. The staff are great, doing a very difficult, specialised job for which they are outrageously underpaid. Though this has regrettably resulted in many staff changes in the time my mother has been there, luckily there a core of extremely professional, dedicated people who have provided the continuity that is vital to everyone's care.
You must invest more in training and appropriate pay for these marvellous people!

In general, I am happy with the care Mum receives and most of the staff are caring and helpful. There have been a couple of occasions when I have not been satisfied with the standard of care especially at the weekends when Mum has been left in bed, her pads not changed, neither has she been washed or had anything to eat. This I feel is due to a shortage of staff which I find unacceptable. I also find that the staff do not always fill in the necessary information in the handover notes and I often have to repeat conversations several times to find out what is happening.
It is difficult to give an overall score to the questions below as it depends on what staff are on duty, some are much better than others.

Bridge Haven is a friendly home with caring professional staff which includes not only the care staff but also the domestics, admin, kitchen and maintenance staff. Many of the care staff (mainly Avante employees) have been employed for years which is reassuring for residents and families. Most agency staff are again regulars who therefore are familiar to both residents and their families. The Home is well maintained (very rarely smells), rooms bright and airy, on one level and food excellent. It also benefits from lovely outside spaces and internal areas for families to take their family member when visiting. Things do go wrong and some residents are particularly challenging. Staff (only the manager is a nurse) do their best in the event of illness or accidents and seek expert help if required. Varied activities are organised. Take up is limited by residents abilities and willingness to participate. An active family forum is supportive and inclusive. My mother has been a resident for 4 years.