Queensmead is a friendly and homely residential and dementia care home in the heart of Christchurch, offering compassionate care in a home-from-home atmosphere.
Queenmead has 40 single bedrooms over three floors and plenty of communal areas for residents to relax or socialise in, including two lounges, a conservatory and a large, colourful garden.
The experienced and well trained team at Queenmead provides care for those who can no longer live independently and makes sure they get the most out of life, whether they are physically frail or living with dementia.
All residents can enjoy a wide variety of activities and entertainment in and around the home, plus outings in the Care South minibus to local landmarks and attractions.
Group: Care South
Person in charge: Emma Cotton (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services: Dorset County Council (click for contact details)
Type of Service: Care Home only (Residential Care) – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned , Registered for a maximum of 40 Service Users
Registered Care Categories*: Dementia • Old Age • Physical Disability • Sensory Impairment
Specialist Care Categories: Alzheimer's • Challenging Behaviour
Admission Information: Ages 18+.
Languages Spoken by Staff (other than English): Spanish; Castilian, Polish, Portuguese
Single Rooms: 40
Rooms with ensuite WC: 0
Facilities & Services: Palliative Care • Respite Care • Own GP if required • Own Furniture if required • Smoking not permitted • Near Public Transport • Lift • Wheelchair access • Gardens for residents
Latest Care Quality Commission* Report on Queensmead: click here
* Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.
The Review Score of 9.8 (maximum of 10) for Queensmead is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.
a) The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 15 Reviews over all time. This Average Rating is also the rating value for Queensmead in Google's Search Results - more info
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5 out of 5 from 13 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 4.804 for Queensmead is calculated as follows: ( (145 Excellents x 5) + (33 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 179 Ratings = 4.804
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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Queensmead is based on 13 positive Reviews in the last 12 months and is calculated as follows:
3 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 4
Target of 8 positive Reviews (40 registered maximum number of service users ÷ 5). 13 Reviews ÷ 8 Target Reached = 1
When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
Queensmead has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.804) from 15 Reviews
Review submitted from a Postal Card by A C (Daughter of Resident) on Friday 9 February 2018. Relates to January 2018.
Previous activities organiser - excellent - has now left, needs to be replaced asap. Some residents have no visitors or anyone to take them out, need more social interaction and activities to keep them active and their minds occupied.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Emma Cotton, Home Manager at Queensmead responded to this review on 13 Feb 2018:
Thank You for your comments. We have now recruited an Activity Lead and are confident that the activity program will be as packed and as enjoyable for all of those involved.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Chris R (Daughter of Resident) on Wednesday 17 January 2018. Relates to November 2017.
Cannot fault the care these lovely people have given my Dad. Until he went there we were doing 24/7 care for him. We are now about to be daughters again and they all treat him like family. The atmosphere as soon as you walk in is warm and friendly.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Lydia B (Granddaughter of Resident) on Wednesday 17 January 2018. Relates to December 2017.
Queensmead is the most wonderful care home. I was very reluctant to put my grandmother in a home due to all the horror stories you hear. The rooms are lovely at Queensmead. The staff are fantastic and they do so many activities and outings, it's amazing.
My grandma has thrived there and they have been so kind and helpful to me also.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Mike H (Nephew of Resident) on Wednesday 17 January 2018. Relates to January 2018.
Each time I visit my Auntie, I leave with a contented mind knowing the care she is receiving is the best available.
Queensmead is blessed with first-rate carers who are concerned with each resident on a personal level.
I couldn't wish for better for a family member.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Shona H (Sister of Resident) on Tuesday 16 January 2018. Relates to December 2017.
My sister has been a resident at Queensmead for nearly a year and she has been very happy there. The staff are very caring I believe that they are very fond of her and she is very appreciative for all they do for her. There are many activities and she was taken to the Pantomime at the Pavillion recently. The food is excellent with plenty of choices, I was impressed with the quality when I was invited to join her for lunch last week.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Mo K (Daughter of Resident) on Monday 8 January 2018. Relates to December 2017.
Excellent friendly staff. This was only a respite stay but Dad loved it so much he has decided to stay forever. Nothing is too much trouble and they welcome not only residents, but family too. My sister and I cannot fault it.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Jackie T (Friend of Resident) on Thursday 30 November 2017. Relates to November 2017.
I would definitely recommend Queensmead to anyone looking for a care home. The staff are amazing, so friendly and can't do enough to help.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by J P (Daughter of Resident) on Thursday 30 November 2017. Relates to November 2017.
My mum has been a resident at Queensmead since June 2016. The staff there have been fantastic. It is quite obvious that all of the staff truly care for the people they look after and treat them as their family in the home. The chefs even join in with the residents and can regularly be seen chatting in the residents' lounge. The food is very tasty and there is lots of it.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Susan S (Daughter of Resident) on Tuesday 28 November 2017. Relates to November 2017.
At last we (family) feel we can relax and no longer worry about my mother. She is extremely well cared for by Queensmead. A delightful place to end her days. Caring staff, safety and concerns are a priority. She is unable to enjoy as much as there is available, due to her dementia, but she is invited to join in, and has enjoyed trips in the care home bus. Queensmead is quite simply excellent, we are kept informed at all times, it is a very happy home.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by S C (Daughter of Resident) on Friday 24 November 2017. Relates to November 2017.
My mother has been a resident for over four years During her time at Queensmead she has been able to enjoy a lifestyle at least as good as her experience in her own home. She has been well looked after and can really have no complaints. (Being 97years old she can, of course, manage to moan occasionally).
We are very pleased with the staff, care and accommodation provided by Queensmead.
Our congratulations and thanks to all.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by S M (Power of Attorney Solicitor of Resident) on Friday 3 November 2017. Relates to October 2017.
I am a Power of Attorney for 2 people in Queensmead. I would always recommend this home to people who would need care. All their needs are met and I cannot find anything to complain about.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Linda R (Daughter of Resident) on Wednesday 18 October 2017. Relates to July 2017.
I first visited Queensmead when I was looking for a home for mum. She was in a hospital stroke unit after a stroke. We were very lucky in that she was accepted. Mum spent two years until her death in August 2017. The home and staff were like a family, not only caring for mum but supporting us as a family through some very difficult times. We will never be able to thank them enough.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Sue E (Daughter of Resident) on Thursday 10 August 2017. Relates to July 2017.
The carers treat every resident as if they were their own parent - truly caring, compassionate and understanding of everyone's individual personalities and needs.
It is like one big happy family. They also welcome visitors, whatever time it is.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Meg S (Niece of Resident) on Friday 31 March 2017. Relates to March 2017.
My uncle has been resident at Queensmead and at another home before that, both of which were run by Care South.
During that period of over seven years, the staff have been amazing, from the managers right down to the cleaning staff.
I recently became engaged and so many of the care staff congratulated me, hugged me and were generally so happy for me.
I feel part of a real family at Queensmead and the care and attention they give their residents is outstanding.
It is a pleasure to visit there.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Tania H (Daughter of Resident) on Thursday 30 March 2017. Relates to February 2017.
I have found this home to be very friendly and caring. Despite working in difficult and stressful situations, the staff are always helpful and compassionate.
They really get to know each individual and take time out to meet the needs of each resident and make sure everyone feels safe and secure.
The events lady is very resourceful and enthusiastic and is full of ideas to make sure the residents have plenty to do.
The food is very good and residents are encouraged to drink plenty.
Although the interior of parts of the home is dated in parts, it is very homely and clean. There are never bad smells and it is situated in a lovely garden area, which the residents are encouraged to use.
I have been very happy with the care my mum has received and feel all the staff have worked very hard to help mum to settle.
The manager is always there if there is a problem and there is always someone available to talk to if there are any concerns.
How likely would you be to recommend Queensmead? Extremely Likely
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