Birchlands Care Home

My mum had to leave another care home in York having lived there with dementia for four years. We received four weeks' notice that they would be permanently closing in January 2024. Panic stations! Mum arrived at Birchlands Care Home on the 13th of December 2023, simply a blessing in disguise. Mum has been very warmly welcomed and has received far superior care in the few short weeks she has been there!

The staff not only cared for my husband but also for the family and friends who visited. I commend all the staff, admin, cleaners, carers and nurses who always had the time for us. I felt I could return home knowing my husband was well looked after and his needs met. Empathy and understanding of who my husband was ensured his final weeks of life were the best they could be, thank you.

The service at Birchlands was caring and thoughtful. The chef went the extra mile to produce meals that my husband would eat. The carers were excellent and tried to help my husband's stay be as good as could be. End of life was supported with medication and a nurse checking on hum regularly. The staff tried to accommodate all my requests. I cannot fault the home or staff.

The home will always have a special place in my heart - thank you to everyone.

My mother was transferred to Birchlands Care Home in the last four days of her life, as we were unable to continue to care for her at home as she needed nursing support. I was devastated and felt that I was letting her down but as soon as we arrived all my concerns were allayed. The staff were amazing, caring and professional and provided me with great support in the last two days of her life. I was so pleased that she was in their care and will always be grateful to them for the dignity and kindness that they gave her. I realised the day after she arrived that actually her being there was the best decision I made.

The nurses kept us informed at all times and nothing was too much trouble.

My mother-in-law was not the easiest to look after in the latter year or so but at 101, who is? Well done Birchlands Care Home and all who sail in her.

Since my aunt entered the home in August 2021, she has, on the whole, been happy with her circumstances. We have found the nursing care she receives has been good, bearing in mind she can be difficult at times! Whilst we appreciate the difficulties of hiring and retaining carers, she sometimes cannot understand the lack of carers. However, our main area of concern is that she is not eating the meals prepared for her and this is obviously affecting her health. We feel that whilst this could be difficult for catering staff, a little more individual attention could be provided for her needs and encourage her to eat.

The level of care for my dad over the past six months has been excellent. The staff really look after the residents engaging with them and treating them with dignity and respect, there are regular activities to suit all who are encouraged to partake but if like my dad just wants to sit on the sidelines and watch and take it all in that's fine too.

I have visited my dad in Birchlands regularly over the past 6 months and it is always spotlessly clean and nothing is too much trouble, he became very frail in his last few weeks but knowing he was so well looked after and ended his days in the most dignified way possible is testament to the dedication of a team who clearly value working there and I extend a heartfelt thank you to them all.

My auntie spent the last six months of her life at Birchlands. The care she received was excellent. The home is a safe, caring environment with excellent, caring and professional staff. My auntie was treated with the utmost respect and dignity and was extremely well looked afteR during her time at Birchlands.

The staff were so kind and diligent. Very happy with the environment. A lovely, happy atmosphere.

I have been impressed by the care and attention given to my brother-in-law. He is always treated with respect and his dignity is maintained. He is well nourished and the personal care given is first class. Well done.

In the months since my husband came to Birchlands, he has received exemplary care from both nursing and care staff. Despite being immobile, he has been free of pressure sores and is kept very comfortable. He is treated with dignity and appreciation, and he and I are grateful for the care shown to me too.

I visit the care home every day and take a lot of notice of how things are run. The staff are lovely and kind, from the manager to the cleaners. The residents are spotlessly clean and tidy as is the rest of the home and nothing is too much trouble. The resident's just ask for things and their needs are taken care of straight away. The staff are very kind to myself and other visitors which is very reassuring.

My husband was well looked after by all the staff whatever their role. Everyone from the manager down made time for him wherever they could. He was treated with courtesy and respect and appreciated as an individual. When visiting, the warm welcome and friendly atmosphere meant we all felt part of the Birchlands family.

My experience whilst visiting this care home has been nothing but exceptional from the top of management down to the bottom level, each and every employee are very welcoming, kind and courteous. They take their job very seriously to provide the residents with the best care possible. I would highly recommend anyone to come here.

Always found the staff friendly and helpful always seem to be very busy not sure if this has been affected by staffing levels or Covid. I feel that because of this monitoring individuals gets a bit lost in the system e.g a visiting district nurse was unaware of the treatment of a pressure sore and condition which caused me concern surely each resident has such records of medical attendance and treatment clinical records etc.

My wife of 59 years has been in nursing care at Birchlands for six months. At the outset, it is very difficult to hand over the care of someone you have cared for yourself for such a long time. In that respect, I need not have worried. From the manager right down through every layer of staff I could not find a more caring, loving and respectful set of people. And that goes for relatives and friends of the one being cared for too. I was made most welcome from the start and given all the help I needed to cope with such a traumatic and unexpected experience. Her room is comfortable and warm and cleaned every day with meticulous care. The nurses and carers are attentive to her every need and she herself in her own way expresses her thanks for their kindness to her. Daily visits are encouraged. Covid precautions are rigidly applied. Thanks for a wonderful service.

From the manager to the care staff, kitchen staff, domestic staff and activities are all heroes in my eyes. This last year has been extremely difficult to deal with but all the staff went above and beyond to keep the residents safe healthy and happy nothing was too much trouble my mum and dad were both in Birchlands mum for a short time but that didn't make any difference she was welcomed with open arms and everyone took great care of her dad he was little longer and again the same his needs were met by the staff for someone who we thought wouldn't settle in a home he did and this was due to the staff around him the activities, particularly on a daily basis, really helped dad this is a very homely welcoming home where the staff really do care.

I wanted to share with you my sincere appreciation for how my mum, and all of the other residents, have been taken care of since the lockdown in March. It's apparent that the love and dedication of all the staff and in particular the benefits bestowed upon them from having a member of staff who adapted so quickly to the distancing restrictions in introducing the technology so that we could keep in touch with our loved ones by video calling, posting on Facebook, etc. and of course it goes without saying that the decisions taken early on in the Pandemic by the management have been superb and I want to thank them all for keeping our mum safe. Thank you.