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 21-40
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.

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Review from S R (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 April 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum spent almost five weeks at Birch Hill Care Home for respite care during my dad’s recovery from an operation. All the staff were welcoming, friendly and reassuring. The food was freshly prepared and there was always baking on offer for visitors. My mum enjoyed the activities and was inspired to
draw and paint again. A lovely location with an extensive garden. We felt my mum was in the best place, given that she couldn’t be at home.

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

Thank you, it was our privilege to care for your mum.

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Review from J S (Niece of Resident) published on 6 March 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our aunt spent the last 4 years of her life at Birch Hill. She had looked after herself all her life so fitting into a care home wasn't going to be easy for her. The staff were wonderful with her. They managed to shower her and maintain her personal hygiene which we had found impossible before she moved
in. She was always happy to tell us how good the food was and how friendly the people were. They treated her with great kindness and she really felt she was living at home with her own family around her. In the sad days before her death she was treated with respect and given as much attention as she needed. I would be very happy to recommend Birch Hill.

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

Thank you for your kind words. Your aunt was a wonderful, spirited lady and we feel very proud to have been part of her life. She will always hold a special place in our hearts and at Birch Hill.

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Review from Frank N (Husband of Resident) published on 9 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My wife was admitted to Birch Hill Care Home in May 2023. Accommodation good, staff excellent. Level of care would be hard to better and visitors are always made welcome. The unit is well-equipped with wheelchairs and devices to assist those with limited mobility and staff are adept at using them. Attention
to resident's medical needs and resulting medication is faultless. All good!

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Review from I L (Son of Resident) published on 9 February 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I had to source a care home for my mother 10 months ago and was recommended Birch Hill. From the first day, I contacted the home I have had exceptional service from everyone involved with this home that has a good family atmosphere and encourages the residents to participate in all activities etc. on
offer.

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

Thank you for your kind review. We try our best to involve everyone and have activities that will stimulate our residents.

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Review from Dorothy T (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 January 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Efficient, friendly, helpful. Excellent service for loved one and family. Nothing is too much trouble. Staff always welcome us with smiles and let us know how our loved is and the activities they have partaken in.

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Review from Gillian J (Wife of Resident) published on 30 January 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My husband suffers with dementia/Lewy bodies. I was struggling to cope as he was not sleeping and consequently neither was I. I contacted Birch Hill and spoke to the manager. Luckily, they had a room. After discussion, my husband was admitted. From staff feedback, there were some difficult moments,
but it was clear that my husband had been helped kindly and with dignity. He enjoyed 2 baths, which is a breakthrough from someone who doesn't deal with change easily. I would be very happy for him to return to Birch Hill. Premises are a little dates, but staff and management more than compensate for this.

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Review from Jayne D (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 November 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother was in another care home temporarily which was abhorrent within 24 hours of my mother coming to Birch Hill her skin was glowing again and not grey. The staff have been extremely friendly and very chatty and had my mother actually laughing again. Her personal hygiene was impeccable and her
clothing was nice and fresh. She's free to roam around as it was safe for her to do so and not locked up. I receive pictures when she’s been taken to the local tea room, get invites to upcoming events at the home and feel included no matter what time of day. I’ve gone to the home it never has a bad smell. So if you are looking to place a family member at this home, I can 100% recommend Birch Hill and you will feel rest assured they will be cared for in the manner in which they should.

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Review from S B (Wife of Resident) published on 12 September 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I viewed Birch Hill Care Home for the possibility of respite care so my review is limited to a brief overview of the suitability for my husband. I found the staff very helpful, knowledgeable and empathetic. Birch Hill Care Home was vibrant and the residents I met seemed very happy. I am unable to comment
on some options.

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Review from Jonathan S (Son of Resident) published on 18 July 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Birch Hill Care home is excellent. With my mum's condition I can't think of anywhere else I'd like her to be. Knowing Mum is safe and cared for by a super friendly dedicated team is a huge comfort. Mum has constant company day and night, can and does choose to join in activities which she really enjoys
and is enriching her life and reducing the impact of her condition on Mum and also on all of the family too.
My mum has good days and bad days but on good days she recognises how lovely the house and gardens are, how fabulous the staff are and she enjoys the excellent in-house cooking.

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Review from Val C (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 February 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Caring, friendly and professional staff throughout. Good communication with relatives. Lovely grounds, building and furnishings.

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Review from A L (Friend of Resident) published on 21 December 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are very friendly and helpful. My friend is very well cared for.

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Review from Alan T (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 29 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Birch Hill is a welcoming home for residents and visitors. I have always found the home to be clean and warm. Staff are friendly and very helpful. During the pandemic and the difficult times associated with it the home was amazing.

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Review from K B (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 27 September 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From the first contact with Birch Hall, the care understanding and kindness and professionalism has been first class. They have made the move for my mother in law seamless.
There have been a few medical issues which have been dealt with very quickly.
I really can not praise the staff team enough.
They are all fantastic from senior management down to cleaners. Superb.

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Review from Charles H (Husband of Resident) published on 27 September 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Finding residential care where my wife would be safe and comfortable was essentially the foremost requirement in my mind, when it became obvious that I would soon be unable to continue to maintain her care sufficiently safely at home. Throughout her stay since last September (almost a full year now),
Birch Hill has certainly lived up to that requirement.
Birch Hill is in my experience safe, comfortable and clean environment for it's older, disabled and incapacitated residents and indeed for the staff who work constantly with them as some of the residents can be problematic due to the illness or incapacity they are living with.
During my three visits every week over the past year, management and staff have always been pleasant, very friendly and conscientious. They are also very proactive in observing and addressing residents’ changing. symptoms and behaviours - liaising with and dealing with the appointed NHS Medical and Mental Health professionals. Communication with family members is also excellent with individual contact being made as required, a regular monthly newsletter emailed and various group get together events such as training days and on-site joint lunches with families and residents.
To sum up - many thanks, well done Birch Hil and I hope Brenda will be able to stay indefinitely with you.

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Review from G B (Son of Resident) published on 27 September 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Extremely professional, yet super friendly managment team. We trained, caring and thoughtful care team with excellent supervisors/team leaders.
Nice residence, ageing but well cared for, with magnificent gardens and produce available to kitchens.
Food, good variety, high quality - lots of choice.

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Review from Alison C (Niece of Resident) published on 27 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Everybody at Birch Hil gives sensitivity, care and respect And the consideration for families and friends is more than impressive and, more importantly, reassuring.
Thank you for dancing with my Aunt.

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Review from Jack F (Son of Resident) published on 16 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Birch Hill staff facilitated a lovely August visit for my partner and I, going above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Not that the month makes any difference, it's the same every time. Their evident care and regard for my father is frankly moving, but they clearly extend their care to family and
visitors as well. Exceptional service and so reassuring, not least as we live a long way away. A most heartfelt thanks to all staff at Birch Hill!

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Review from D K (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Birch Hill provide excellent care for my mam. The staff work very hard and make sure all the residents are well looked after. The care home is very clean and tidy and follow PPE procedures. My mam loves it here and enjoys playing dominos and having her hair done.

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Review from Diana C (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 July 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a lovely home. There is a feeling in Birch Hill that all the staff are cooperating to make the lives of residents happier. The food is (my mother told me) very good; the home is clean as a whistle without smelling of disinfectant, and nothing seems too much trouble for the maintenance crew.
As for the grounds, they are the crowning glory of the home, full of level paths which invite wheelchair exploration.
Had we know about the existence of this home my sister and I would have wished to move my mother there at least a year earlier, so that she could have benefitted from the gardens whilst still fairly mobile but when, owing to lockdown, we could no longer take her out.

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Review from Kate B (Daughter of Resident) published on 17 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother lived at Birch Hill for just over 16 months, and her care was exemplary.
During the Covid pandemic, perhaps the most difficult time ever for residents and staff, she was well protected and continued to have care of the highest standard.
She often said that she was very happy, and regarded
Birch Hill very much like her home, enjoying the company of residents and highly attentive, caring staff.
At the end of November 2020, she became a great grandmother. She must have been waiting to hear the good news, as she quickly declined. Birch Hill phoned to tell me that she was to have end-of-life care, and I could see her as often as I wished. I went in when I could, even in my pyjamas one evening, and I played her music every morning, which she loved. She slipped away one night with carers holding each of her hands.
Her end-of-life care could not have been better: sensitive to her physical, mental and medical needs: like all her care, given holistically.
I cannot thank Birch Hill enough

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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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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.

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