Brookside is an established care home in Melksham and has been serving the local and wider Wiltshire community for over 40 years. It offers compassionate, individualised residential care for up to 50 residents, and has been awarded an overall 'Outstanding' rating in its latest CQC inspection in November 2016.
Set in its own attractive and accessible grounds which includes a patio, summerhouse, greenhouse and an attractive enclosed garden to the rear, the home is situated in a quiet residential area, a short walk from Melksham town centre.
Activities and wellbeing
The dedicated Activities Coordinator is there to make life as stimulating and varied as possible with activities, including visits to the local garden centre, games and quiz evenings, external entertainment, pamper sessions and talks and performances from local school children.
With so many well-being activities for body and mind, they also recognise that everyone needs some time to honour their spirit with relaxation and mindfulness for personal reflection. There are various lounges and comfortable seating areas around the home for you to relax quietly in.
The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) operates 71 homes and 14 extra care housing schemes across Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, West Sussex and Suffolk. OSJCT’s broad range of services includes dementia, intermediate, respite and day care, and specialised nursing.
Their ethos of care, which underpins all their activities, is based on their belief that all individuals living in their homes, should be given care that meets their individual needs. They also believe that residents and day care visitors should enjoy life in an atmosphere of warmth, harmony and understanding, being cared for by people who appreciate their need for privacy and who will respect their dignity and freedom of choice.
Group: The Orders of St John Care Trust
Person in charge: Jamie Carter (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services: Wiltshire Council (click for contact details)
Type of Service: Care Home only (Residential Care) – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned , Registered for a maximum of 50 Service Users
Registered Care Categories*: Dementia • Old Age
Admission Information: Ages 65+.
Single Rooms: 50
Rooms with ensuite WC: 0
Facilities & Services: Day Care • Respite Care • Own GP if required • Own Furniture if required • Pets by arrangement • Close to Local shops • Near Public Transport • Lift • Wheelchair access • Gardens for residents • Television point in own room • Residents Internet Access
Latest Care Quality Commission* Report on Brookside: click here
* Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.
The Review Score of 9.3 (maximum of 10) for Brookside is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.
a) The Average Rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 18 Reviews over all time. This Average Rating is also the rating value for Brookside in Google's Search Results - more info
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.7 out of 5 from 7 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 4.561 for Brookside is calculated as follows: ( (138 Excellents x 5) + (55 Goods x 4) + (19 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 212 Ratings = 4.561
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 4.7 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Brookside is based on 7 positive Reviews in the last 12 months and is calculated as follows:
3 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 4
Target of 10 positive Reviews (50 registered maximum number of service users ÷ 5). 7 Reviews ÷ 10 Target = 0.700
When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
Brookside has a Review Score of 9.3 (9.261) from 18 Reviews
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Sylvia R (Sister of Resident) on Tuesday 30 January 2018. Relates to January 2018.
My mother was in Brookside from 1994 to 1996. My sister when she couldn't cope anymore decided to come here.
She is settled and happy here.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Druin H (Partner of Resident) on Tuesday 30 January 2018. Relates to January 2018.
Very impresses with caring staff and standard of entertainment provided.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Alison G (Daughter of Resident) on Monday 29 January 2018. Relates to January 2018.
I am very happy with the care my mum receives in Brookside. The staff are all very caring, patient and helpful. There are plenty of organised activities for the residents to join in and it is nice to see the weekly timetable with all the various activities and trips.
The home has recently undergone some refurbishment which has brought it more up to date. Overall I am very satisfied.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Dawn E (Daughter of Resident) on Monday 29 January 2018. Relates to January 2018.
The quality of care at Brookside is first class. Nothing is too much trouble and they are always trying new ways to engage the residents in activities and social outings.
The new decor and furnishings make the place look homely and welcoming. I can't praise the manager and staff highly enough for their efforts.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Pamela V (Wife of Resident) on Thursday 4 January 2018. Relates to December 2017.
I enjoy visiting my husband. I visit several times each week and I am always made very welcome. The staff are very helpful and caring.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by L G (Daughter of Resident) on Wednesday 9 August 2017. Relates to July 2017.
To all the care staff, thank you so much for your fantastic care of Mum for the last eight years. We have nothing but praise for you all. I'll miss my visits to Brookside and seeing you all.
With best wishes to you all.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by David V (Volunteer) on Monday 26 June 2017. Relates to April 2017.
I take a small team into Brookside to lead monthly services of worship for residents and visitors. We are always warmly received by our liaison manager and other staff and can see that the residents are looked after with care. The provision of food and recreation activities is excellent and the main foyer and lounge where we operate are always kept clean and tidy.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Audrey T (Resident) on Wednesday 15 March 2017. Relates to March 2017.
The staff are very good and I cannot fault them in any way.
I feel the staff are my friends.
I don't need much care but I see others being helped whenever they need it.
We do try lots of different activities and we get taken out.
One of the best places.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Angela H (Daughter of Resident) on Friday 10 February 2017. Relates to February 2017.
A very friendly home, staff and management always approachable and helpful. Residents seem to be well catered for and plenty of activities throughout the week. Clean and tidy throughout. Love attending their themed events, always brings a smile to residents faces.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Raymond B (Son of Resident) on Thursday 7 April 2016. Relates to March 2016.
My mother took up residence at Brookside in Jan 2014 and died there in March 2016. During that time she was cared for by dedicated and caring staff who we cannot praise highly enough. We saw the care and attention that she received and the genuine concern when she became terminally ill. Knowing how well she was cared for has made her passing that much easier for the family.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Margery D (Resident) on Thursday 3 December 2015. Relates to October 2015.
Brookside is very open, lovely in the garden when the weather is nice. The staff are excellent - they are very caring, gentle and anticipate the residents needs. It is important that they are looked after by their employees to keep them here as this is the nucleus of Brookside.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Stella M (Resident) on Friday 23 October 2015. Relates to October 2015.
A lovely home, very welcoming and caring, all the staff very happy and always willing to help. Can not fault them at all, would gladly go back again for respite care. I always felt safe and very well cared for.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Rachael C (Daughter of Resident) on Wednesday 16 September 2015. Relates to September 2015.
My mum has been in Brookside twice for respite, she absolutely loves it. At home she is so lonely she has dementia and won't watch telly, at Brookside she is a different person she is happy and entertained, she loves the company and the food, at home she has micro meals because she can no longer cook. She loves playing skittles and other entertainment, she thinks she is on holiday, excellent place.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Elizabeth N (Sister of Resident) on Friday 28 August 2015. Relates to July 2015.
My sister entered Brookside in December 2014 and remained there until she died on 25th July 2015. She was extremely happy to be cared for and found the staff extremely kind and caring. She enjoyed many of the activities provided as well as the meals. Being of a general nervous nature she felt safe and secure at the home and never complained.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Mavis K (Power of Attorney Solicitor of Resident) on Monday 24 August 2015. Relates to July 2015.
After four years of daily care, dementia was confirmed and residential care had to be found. I visited 3 local care homes and on the fourth felt "at home" immediately. The entrance doors open into a most pleasant lounge, attractive with colour, lots of photographs, nicely presented information displayed. A pleasant well designed room with picture window was offered. My friend has been a resident for 6 months. All the staff are capable, pleasant, lots of smiles and polite and caring. This is a well organised establishment.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Margaret H (Daughter of Resident) on Monday 24 August 2015.
Mum has been a resident at Brookside for nearly two years and I feel she has been looked after very well. The staff always seem happy and very helpful and understanding and I know there are times when it is hard for them with staff sickness, leave etc.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by John S (Wife of Resident) on Monday 17 August 2015. Relates to August 2015.
Our first time and hopefully not our last. As my husband is vegetarian, although eats fish, could frozen meals be brought in and placed in oven for 40 mins, and being diabetic as well, needs to be on time with all meals.
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Likely
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Esther Thomas, Home Manager at Brookside responded to this review on 18 Aug 2015:
Thank you for your review. I am glad that you and your husband were satisfied with his stay with us and we look forward to seeing you both again. I have taken note of your request about meals and suggest we discuss this next time you are arranging a visit to Brookside.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Gemma H (Granddaughter of Resident) on Tuesday 11 August 2015. Relates to July 2015.
Brookside is a wonderful care home. My nan is looked after really well. She is always happy when I see her and the staff are great with her. She gets involved in a lot of activities that the home put on which are great. Head of care and the rest of the team are fantastic. The home overall is excellent and I wouldn't/couldn't have picked anywhere better for my nan to be!
How likely would you be to recommend Brookside? Extremely Likely
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February 2018
Recipient: The Orders of St John Care Trust
Date: Thursday 01 Feb 2018
April 2017
Recipient: The Orders of St John Care Trust
Date: Saturday 01 Apr 2017
February 2016
Recipient: The Orders of St John Care Trust
Date: Monday 15 Feb 2016
Job Title: Home Manager
Joined: 2016
Description:
Brookside Residents are looked after by a highly dedicated team that include carers, an admin assistant and housekeeping and kitchen staff. They are led by the Manager who is supported by a Head of Care and a team of three Care Leaders.
Jamie Carter has been the Manager of Brookside since April 2016 and previously worked at Marden Court care Home as the Home Manager which was another Residential care home within The Orders of St John Care Trust group.
Jamie has over 9 years experience in the care sector having started his career at Brookside as a carer and working through NVQ level 2 and 3 before taking on the role of Care Leader.
Jamie became Head of Care at Brookside and worked closely alongside the Home Manager.
Jamie is currently working towards his Level 5 QCF diploma in leadership and management.
Jamie is continually looking to enhance his knowledge and skills which he can pass on to his team. He sets very high standards of conduct and performance and is passionate about delivering high standard person-centered care promoting daily living skills.