Willowbrooke Residential Care Home

I looked at many Residential Homes and must say that the layout and design of Willowbrooke is of a very high standard, it has a very warm Homely Feel and the manager was very welcoming as were all the staff. I could see the Care and attention that Residents were receiving which gave me total piece of mind to know my father in law would be well cared for.

This care home is one of the nicest and cleanest homes that we have seen. The standard of care is excellent, and the rooms are spotless. The management team are very friendly and professional. All of the care staff are also nice and friendly.

My mother, was a resident at Willowbrooke for the last 11 weeks of her life. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in August and moved there soon after. She settled in very quickly and was made to feel very welcome and at home. We wish we could name everyone of the staff in person, as they all contributed in their own way to the wonderful care given. Initially there were reservations due to the inevitability of her illness, however, with a little outside support, they gave her fabulous care and attention right until the very end. As a family we could not have asked for anymore, and take great comfort in that. Thank you just isn't enough to express our gratitude.

My mother initially entered the residential care home on 9 July following an introductory visit. We found the managers very warm and welcoming and the staff very friendly and efficient. The home is new and we were impressed with all aspects whilst there were so few residents. Food and accommodation is always excellent and mum is better fed than she has been for years. Most of all she feels safe and this gives reassurance to her family. As the numbers of residents have risen over the last few weeks, it is apparent that pressures on staff have also increased and now mum does not always receive the help she asks for within the timescales promised. No doubt this will improve as time passes. However, she only gets a shower once a week and has only been able to have a bath once in four weeks because the bath takes too long to fill. This is inexcusable in a refurbished building. Now is the right time for the excellent management to ensure the service is fully and appropriately staffed and that standards do not drop.

My mother has since died, but I am happy to upgrade my ratings. The bathing facilities improved considerably, and the staff have been superbly caring particularly in her last few days.

My mother was treated extremely well, with great dignity and humanity that one seldom sees. Despite being initially assessed as mobile before her residency, she lost this through ill health and continued to be cared for up to and including her passing, which was a great comfort to all the family. The staff are all truly genuine caring people in a very clean safe home and I would not hesitate in recommending Willowbrooke to anyone.

My mother is 87 and has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was taken to Willowbrooke directly from the hospital about 3 weeks ago. I live in Devon and have only had the chance to visit once but during my recent weekend visit I found all staff to be extremely kind, sympathetic, polite and considerate, particularly a her carer who I spoke with at length about my mums needs, both now and in the future.

Mum was in a first floor room some distance from the toilet but we requested if she could be moved to a ground floor room with toilet adjacent, this was done without question, including the exchange of the hospital bed which mum needs. Mums life expectancy is very limited and we want her to be as happy and comfortable as possible in her final months. She is very settled at Willowbrooke and speaks very highly of the accommodation and the staff. Mum will need more specialised treatment as her condition deteriorates however in the meantime I am highly satisfied with my mums care Willowbrooke and it is very reassuring knowing that she is safe and in good hands.

My husband went into this care home for 1 weeks respite care. He got looked on with a lot of care and love. I was very pleased with the care staff who looked after him. As he has not been away before, as I look after him 24/7, hard work, but this was just very good to know he was well looked after.

The care home has recently been overhauled. The food was excellent and the residents were asked for ideas on what to cook. They got the residents involved with singing, bowls and watching old films. All the staff were friendly and helpful. The manager is doing and excellent job.

The staff have been welcoming and charming towards me from the very outset. They have volunteered information and help without having to ask for it and have put themselves out to oblige me. Mum is a difficult resident yet they have shown patience, good humour and gentleness towards her. To that point where they appear to have won her confidence - and that is no small statement about my mum who can be abrasive, truculent and downright awkward. I feel she is in good hands and that is important to me - and of course to her.