Birch Hill Care Home

Norham, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2JZ
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9.9 57 Reviews
  • Birch Hill Care Home, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Nestled in the Northumbrian Village of Norham, Birch Hill Care Home provides dementia care for 24 adults. Rated 'outstanding' by CQC in August 2019, the team's focus is ensuring all residents live well each day.

Living at Birch Hill is a change for the residents, but one which will provide a safe, caring, homely atmosphere to enjoy yet another chapter in life’s journey.

Birch Hill has a hand-picked team of dedicated care, catering and housekeeping teams who strive to ensure that each day is a day well lived, where joys and troubles can be shared.

The home's approach to dementia care not only involves support with physical needs but through excellent locally sourced food, personalised activity and wellness programmes that really can make a positive impact in the lives of the residents and families.

Services: hairdresser, optician, chiropodist, audiologist, district nurse team, GP practice, CMHT, OT & physio all visit Birch Hill as required.

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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 24 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Palliative / End of Life Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Stairlift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: £1350 – £1450
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1350 – £1450
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: £1350 – £1450
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: £1350 – £1450

Local authority accepted

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Birch Hill Care Home to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Jennifer Mackie (Care Centre Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (20)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (2)
  • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (3)

Parking

  • Parking at front of house

Birch Hill Care Home Reviews (57)

Total of 57, showing 1-20
9.9

Birch Hill Care Home has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.911) out of 10, based on 28 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Birch Hill Care Home has 57 reviews.

Overall Experience

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Review from Trevor M (Partner of Resident) published on 24 July 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My partner has now been resident for 6 months the standard of care has been exceptional from management to carers to house keeping staff nothing is a problem and everything is open and transparent. Communication between the staff and residents/family/friends is excellent.
Cleanliness/hygene is very
good
The catering is super. Activities second to none
Family/friends are always greeted with a warm welcome
A truly well run residence

Reply from Jennifer Mackie, Care Centre Manager at Birch Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind review. Our aim is to provide a high standard of care and it is our pleasure to care for your loved one and lovely to see you in each day. You are both so kind

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Review from Corinne R (Niece of Resident) published on 24 July 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Always greeted with warmth in the centre.
Staff are sincere, respectful and humorous (humour being used in a way to help defuse what could be difficult situation.)
The staff knowing the little preferences that certain residents have and seeing first hand the special relationship that some have built
up over the years.

Reply from Jennifer Mackie, Care Centre Manager at Birch Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind review. We strive to deliver that person centred care with all our residents and its knowing them and yourselves so well that ensures we know most of the individual preferences.

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Review from David I (Son of Resident) published on 9 July 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From the initial contact to the ongoing care the Birch Hill team have been and are nothing short of amazing - The wellbeing of my Mum is held in very compassionate and professional hands. Although the property sits in such stunning and tranquil surroundings it's the warm glow generated from the team
whithin the building that makes my Mum feel at home and safe and gives me a great peace of mind.
Thank you all.

Reply from Jennifer Mackie, Care Centre Manager at Birch Hill Care Home

thank you for your amazing compliment. It is our pleasure to look after mum to the best of our abilities.

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Review from Kathryn W (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 July 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum has thrived in this care home
She left hospital not talking nor walking without assistance of staff after a stroke
She is now walking with a zimmer getting help with her speech and is improving daily all thanks to the wonderful staff

Reply from Jennifer Mackie, Care Centre Manager at Birch Hill Care Home

Thank you for your wonderful review. We, like you, want the best for your mum and are delighted that she has progressed so much in a short space of time. Thank you for your continued support.

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Review from George R (Respite Resident) published on 3 June 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The whole team looked after me superbly well during. My brief post op stay . All very warm friendly and conscientious. . Good food and refreshments and snacks almost 'on demand' too. My late wife was a resident and I have since recommended Birch Hill to others. I will continue to do so

Reply from Jennifer Mackie, Care Centre Manager at Birch Hill Care Home

Thank you for your lovely review. It was our pleasure to have you stay with us and we look forward to seeing you at some of our events to which you are always welcome.

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Review from Deirdre R (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 May 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother spent the last nine months of her life here, sadly passing away at end of April. All staff worked to give her the best quality of life possible with activities that reflected her interests and ensuring her dietary requirements were met. Standards were always high from cleanliness to care and
management.
End of life care was wonderful. Staff did everything to ensure she had the best medical care and was comfortable at all times. Care extended to her family who were fully informed, included and supported.

Reply from Jennifer Mackie, Care Centre Manager at Birch Hill Care Home

Thank you for your kind words. It was a delight to be given the privilege of looking after your mum.

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Review from M D (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 March 2025
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From viewing to supporting residents we were made to feel very welcome. Resident needs catered for with care and dignity. Overall an excellent service provided.

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Review from A L (Friend of Resident) published on 21 January 2025
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From the very first phone call to the manager, to the home visit to assess my friend's needs to the show round with a member of staff, to moving my friend into Birch Hill Care Home, the team were exceptional. It was seamless, utterly professional and done with a high degree of care and empathy and without
exception, consideration and understanding shown to each of us. It truly is home from home.
I wouldn't want anyone to go where I wouldn't want to be placed myself and I can, hand on heart, say of all the care homes I have seen and the people I have spoken to in other care facilities, the team led by the manager are unmistakably the best. A great atmosphere, warm and friendly - just what you need for those you love.
One member of staff, in particular, brightens the darkest of winter days. She is one of the warmest, kindest people I've had the pleasure to meet and engage with and another member of staff is a 'stand up' in the making. One member of staff a stalwart and the manager a great leader, so all in all a brilliant team.

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Review from S R (Son of Resident) published on 5 December 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Moved into Birch Hill Care Home in May 2024 after reaching crisis point. Staff settled Mum in really well. She/s taken our and about regularly and there are plenty of activities to keep her busy. What a relief it is to have Mum in a safe place where she's looked after, following over two years of going
from incident to incident.

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Review from A S (Friend of Resident) published on 19 November 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Whenever we visit our friend, we are made to feel welcome and offered tea/coffee and cake. It would be useful if a landline "carry about" phone was available so a member of staff could hand my friend the handset rather than bring/return to and from the office when I ring her. The staff are very friendly
and my friend speaks highly of them.

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Review from J M (Friend of Resident) published on 13 November 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our neighbour was a very private lady, who liked her own company, and we were a little worried that she wouldn't adapt well to being in a residential care facility. We need not have worried, the staff have all gone our of their way to welcome her and have encouraged her, at her own pace, to join in
with social events and activities in Birch Hill. She is very well looked after and enjoys her safe, clean and friendly new environment. We have seen such a difference in her overall demeanour. One staff member in particular, has developed a close relationship with this lady, and she definitely responds well in her company.

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Review from D R (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 5 November 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Always a warm welcome when visiting, a happy atmosphere felt around the home, always very clean and tidy.
A variety of activities every week, lovely getting pictures and updates of the activities.
Home-cooked food - delicious! Having had the opportunity to sample the food first-hand.
Weather permitting,
a peaceful garden to sit in when visiting, it's lovely everyone can access the secure garden.
Staff are always on hand and happy to help with any enquiries be it via in-person, telephone or email.
My mother-in-law feels safe and welcome at Birch Hill Care Home, her well-being has improved greatly since moving in and she is far less anxious now.

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Review from Jaqueline W (Friend of Resident) published on 5 November 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have supported our friend and neighbour to move into Birch Hill Care Home in March 2023. I visit her twice a week at a variety of different times. Birch Hill has not got the atmosphere of any other care home I have visited. Everyone radiates contentment and happiness. The staff are always willing
to help in any way they can. There are many activities on offer, many of which family and friends are invited to. I think Birch Hill is the best!

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Review from A S (Son of Resident) published on 29 October 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

When visiting my mother, I am always made to feel extremely welcome by everyone at Birch Hill Care Home.
Carers and management are easy to contact and very helpful.
The home is always immaculate and there is a full list of activities for residents which are generally available for family to join in
if you should like to.
Access to the garden from the conservatory is a bonus on a nice day.

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Review from Teresa C (Friend of Resident) published on 25 October 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Friend - previous neighbour was admitted to Birch Hill Care Home. Staff and managers were (very experienced) most helpful in making my friend comfortable and welcome - she had lots of concerns, they worked with her on these and over time, have helped her be less anxious. Dementia made it hard for her
to settle into new surroundings, with staff's care and constant support, she is now enjoying her new home - a credit to the way staff treat residents with care and respect, preserving their dignity.

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Review from Elaine S (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 3 October 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum-in-law has been here for two years now and I can't rate it highly enough. Mum has dementia and was highly anxious and distressed when she first moved here. Her behaviour was distressing to watch but the staff managed her so confidently and with such care and compassion that the sudden transition
from her living at home to requiring residential care was made much less difficult for my husband and me. With the support and care of the staff and medics, she settled down fairly quickly and as we had hoped, has found some contentment and peace.
We feel that she is loved, valued and part of a family and we also feel part of that family. There are activities on a daily basis which all the staff get involved with. There is always laughter and singing echoing around the home. The staff are so genuine, compassionate and caring, I can't think of anywhere else we would rather Mum be.

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Review from Susan T (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 September 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We looked at several homes before arriving at Birch Hill Care Home but as soon as we walked in the door we all knew this was the one. It felt like a big extended family home, atmosphere was great and the staff very welcoming and friendly and still are after nearly nine years of Mum living there. Every
single one of the staff treat the residents as they would their own family, in fact, Mum was called Nana soon after she arrived which was a great honour and privilege to Mum. Nothing is ever too much trouble, cups of tea or coffee are always offered, no matter how busy they are, and they always have time and will answer any questions or worries you may have about your loved one's health. The food is hotel-worthy and even when liquidised for Mum now, still looks and smells delicious. The garden is beautiful and secure, we've had lots of picnics there when Mum was able. We are so pleased we made this choice for Mum, we could not have picked a better home.

Reply from jennifer mackie, Care centre manager at Birch Hill Care Home

Thank you for your lovely, kind words. Nana was a pleasure to look after and we will always remember her fondly.

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Review from J R (Son of Resident) published on 11 September 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My dear mum couldn't have been better cared for. The staff at Birch Hill Care Home are kind, caring and quite simply wonderful. It has a lovely, warm feel and the staff looking after Mum had worked there for many, many years. It's a happy, beautifully run home.
The experienced Birch Hill team are sensitive
and tender - they treated Mum as though they were her daughters. We cannot thank them enough and are forever indebted to Birch Hill for how they made Mum so comfortable.
If you're reading this, you might be Husband or Wife or Son or Daughter wondering if Birch Hill could be the home for your loved one like I was. I couldn't have wished for better, more loving care for my mum. That's how highly I regard Birch Hill and always will.

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Review from Patricia B (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 July 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

One of the things I love about Birch Hill is how they enable each resident to have as much independence as they can in a safe and caring environment. My Mother is 100 and I visit her two to three times a week. In the recent warm weather, residents are able to go outside to the beautifully maintained
garden and I often find Mum out there sitting under an umbrella with a couple of other residents enjoying the calm surroundings with a fruit juice and a piece of cake. We always feel we are among friends and look forward to the regular activities organised. The VE Day Garden party was a highlight - Mum in her Wrens uniform from WW2 dancing to songs from the era! There are always other families visiting too and we all know each other now and look forward to catching up. It's a very special place.

Reply from jennifer mackie, Interim care centre manager at Birch Hill Care Home

Thank you for such a lovely review. We value each and every one of our residents and family members such as yourself. You assist us to make Birch Hill a special place.

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Review from F R (Wife of Resident) published on 19 June 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My husband has been with Birch Hill for seven weeks. He has settled well, which is a huge relief for me. The staff are all so kind and caring. He loves his food and is well looked after. He also enjoys the fun they have with their activity sessions. The garden is lovely to walk around and enjoy a seat.
This is my first experience with a care home. I can't thank the staff enough for the care they have given to my husband.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.911)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.911) out of 10 for Birch Hill Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 28 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 28 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.911 for Birch Hill Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (300 Excellents x 5) + (25 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 327 Ratings = 4.911

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Birch Hill Care Home is based on 28 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 24 registered maximum number of service users is 4.8, which has been reached with 28 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

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Bed Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (1)

Jennifer

Jennifer Mackie

Job Title: Care Home Manager

Joined: 2018

I have been with BEN - Birch Hill since October 2018. I took over as manager in February 2022 when the previous manager went to manage one of our other homes.


I am very proud of the staff at Birch Hill. They put the residents' needs at the forefront of everything they do. The care they deliver is outstanding and always centred around the resident's needs.


It is a home-from-home.

Frequently Asked Questions about Birch Hill Care Home

What types of Care is Birch Hill Care Home registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Physical Disability & Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

How many Rooms does Birch Hill Care Home have?

There are 20 Single Rooms and 2 Couples/Companion Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Birch Hill Care Home?

Own Furniture if required, Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Stairlift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is Birch Hill Care Home to the centre of Berwick-upon-Tweed?

7.3 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Birch Hill Care Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Birch Hill Care Home has an Enhanced Service - more info.