Birch Hill Care Centre is situated in the Northumbrian village of Norham, located in extensive grounds, the care home provides care for up to 24 adults over the age of 65 living with dementia.
Generous staffing ratios ensure the standard of care provided is consistently high and includes a team of visiting professionals including a doctor, dentist, optician and chiropodist, hairdresser and beauty therapist.
All residents have their own private bedroom and are encouraged to bring personal possessions to make their room feel just like home. For people living with dementia, it is particularly important to be surrounded by familiar items such as photographs, ornaments and person possessions, to provide a sense of emotional security and promote wellbeing.
Group: Ben - Motor & Allied Trades Benevolent Fund
Person in charge: Nicola Hall (Care Centre Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services: Northumberland County Council (click for contact details)
Type of Service: Care Home only (Residential Care) – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned , Registered for a maximum of 26 Service Users
Registered Care Categories*: Dementia • Old Age • Physical Disability • Sensory Impairment
Specialist Care Categories: Alzheimer's
Admission Information: Ages 65+.
Single Rooms: 26
Rooms with ensuite WC: 10
Weekly Charges Guide: Personal Care Single £622 – £671 (These prices are only a guideline, please contact Birch Hill to find out the exact price for your requirements.)
Facilities & Services: Own Furniture if required • Smoking not permitted • Close to Local shops • Near Public Transport • Minibus or other transport • Lift • Stairlift • Wheelchair access • Gardens for residents • Television point in own room
Latest Care Quality Commission* Report on Birch Hill: 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 Birch Hill 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 6 Reviews over all time. This Average Rating is also the rating value for Birch Hill in Google's Search Results - more info
b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5 out of 5 from 6 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 4.831 for Birch Hill is calculated as follows: ( (62 Excellents x 5) + (8 Goods x 4) + (1 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 71 Ratings = 4.831
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 Birch Hill is based on 6 positive Reviews in the last 12 months and is calculated as follows:
3 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 4
Target of 5.2 positive Reviews (26 registered maximum number of service users ÷ 5). 6 Reviews ÷ 5.2 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.
Birch Hill has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.831) from 6 Reviews
Review submitted from a Postal Card by D T (Daughter of Resident) on Tuesday 17 April 2018. Relates to March 2018.
I have been associated with Birch Hill, Norham since 2014. The care centre is faultless in the care and support to residents and family. The centre creates a safe and comfortable environment, the staff being highly dedicated. We are always welcomed with friendly faces from all staff and encouraged to partake in all aspects of our loved one's lives.
Communication with staff looking after my Mother is excellent. Couldn't wish for a better home.
How likely would you be to recommend Birch Hill? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by H T (Granddaughter of Resident) on Tuesday 17 April 2018. Relates to March 2018.
I have always found Birch Hill a very welcoming and professional environment. Nevertheless, occasionally I feel that the stimulation of residents is lacking. There is a TV room where I feel that the residents are placed and (not neglected) but left unattended for long periods of time. Some music, art, drama, themed afternoons or book readings could be done. The silence can very isolating for some residents. But, as stated before, Birch Hill has always retained very high care standards.
How likely would you be to recommend Birch Hill? Extremely Likely
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Nicola Hall, Care Centre Manager at Birch Hill responded to this review on 17 Apr 2018:
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback. We are in the process of reviewing our resident engagement time and are working hard to ensure that our residents are meaningfully engaged and enjoy our activity programmes.
Review submitted from a Postal Card by Julia A (Daughter of Resident) on Friday 16 March 2018. Relates to February 2018.
I feel very lucky to have found Birch Hill care centre for both my parents.
They are together and safe which means the world to me.
The respect, care and kindness the staff show to my mum and dad is exemplary.
The management team are very strong and have good relationships with my parents and with me.
I am always greeted with a smile and the atmosphere is one of calm at whatever time of day you arrive.
Visitors are offered tea and coffee, biscuits and cake, just like in your own home.
It's great.
How likely would you be to recommend Birch Hill? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Shanelle S (Granddaughter of Resident) on Thursday 8 March 2018. Relates to February 2018.
I was very impressed to see both of my grandparents settled into Birch Hill. They both seemed happy and relaxed with both the staff and the other residents.
There were staff around to help with any requests and refreshments were always offered to all visitors and residents. I was pleased with my visit overall and my mind was put at ease that my family are in good capable hands.
How likely would you be to recommend Birch Hill? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Postal Card by Margaret O (Friend of Resident) on Wednesday 31 January 2018. Relates to January 2018.
I went to visit a friend. I was made very welcome as soon as the front door was opened. I was offered tea, coffee and homemade cake. The tray was very well set out. All the staff were very friendly and happy. The home had a very nice aroma. The residents looked very well looked after. 10/10
How likely would you be to recommend Birch Hill? Extremely Likely
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Review submitted from a Website Submission by Barbara S (Wife of Resident) on Thursday 11 January 2018. Relates to December 2017.
If ever my time comes I hope there is a bedroom for me overlooking the well kept and beautiful gardens.
How likely would you be to recommend Birch Hill? Extremely Likely
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