Balnacarron Care Home

116 Hepburn Gardens, St Andrews KY16 9LT
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9.9 57 Reviews
  • Balnacarron Care Home, St Andrews
At Balnacarron Care Home, located in the beautiful town of St Andrews, the team provide personalised residential and residential dementia care to older people.

Balnacarron boasts a selection of specially designed dining areas that provide the perfect space to share meals with fellow residents, or family and friends. The catering team prides itself on ensuring that each meal is an enjoyable experience for every resident and visitor to the home.

Meanwhile, the professional care team at Balnacarron take the time to learn about each resident’s individual hobbies and interests, supporting them to lead an active and fulfilling life. In addition to the range of activities available, residents are encouraged to take an active role in the St Andrews community, from building relationships with neighbours in local community groups and schools, to arranging sightseeing trips in the local area.

With a focus on kind and sensitive care, each member of the team at Balnacarron Care Home is on hand to offer all the support that residents need. From settling in to finding their feet, they apply their experience and compassion to ensure the home is a genuinely happy place to live for each and every person.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 35 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Convalescent Care

Facilities

  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1196
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1196
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1315
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1315

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Balnacarron 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)

Support you may be entitled to

If you choose a care home based in Scotland, you may be eligible for the Scottish Government's Free Personal Care funding of up to £267.10 per week if you’re over the age of 65. This support is not reflected in this fee amount.

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Olga Jankovska (Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2020

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (33)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (1)

Balnacarron Care Home Reviews (57)

9.9

Balnacarron Care Home has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.897) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Balnacarron Care Home has 57 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Balnacarron Care Home
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Total of 57, showing 41-57
Review from L I (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 October 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
So pleased mum got into Balnacarron. She's well cared for, warm, food is excellent. Carers are always cheerful, attentive. I like the fact they set the tables properly with tablecloths, napkins, really nice.
Room recently decorated, really lovely.
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Review from D L (Son of Resident) published on 25 September 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My mother came in for short-term respite care while my sister was away. The home found a room at short notice and provided everything she required during her stay. Her room was small and it would have been preferable if it had an en-suite. The food was good but at times a little heavy for my mother.
My
mother really enjoyed having a bath and the member of staff who helped her as a delight.
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Review from E M (Son of Resident) published on 5 September 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
Care staff excellent, room tired, no mirror, cold on arrival but staff went out of their way to resolve issues.
Reply from Clare Sheehan, Careline Advisor at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your lovely comments regarding the Care Staff at Balnacarron Care Home, at HC-One we continually strive to provide the kindest care to all our Residents. I would like to sincerely apologise that on this occasion your experience was not to the high standards we expect, however, I am glad that the staff were able to resolve the issues quickly. We will continue to work with the home to try to ensure that this does not happen again.

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Review from Aileen C (Wife of Resident) published on 23 August 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have only praise the way my husband is cared for. I feel the facilities could be improved with more toilets on the ground floor level, also much bigger signs and more clearly marked as all the doors are cream, bright colour for the toilet doors eg bright yellow would be more helpful for the residents
to distinguish them. I also noticed the residents' medication comes from a Pharmacy in another town, this causes a delay in the medication arriving or perhaps this should be addressed to us in St Andrews.
Reply from Clare Sheehan, Careline Advisor at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your positive feedback about the care at Balnacarron. When we do refurbishment we will be including improved signage and use of colour to assist residents to find their way. We do try to prevent any delays in medicines being delivered but would like to apologise if you have found this to be an issue.

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Review from Irene G (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 July 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
On behalf of my sisters and I, we would like to thank the staff at Balnacarron for the excellent care and support you have given to our mother. She has definitely benefited from her time with you. Thank you all so much.
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Review from James M (Husband of Resident) published on 22 June 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My wife was cared for with the greatest care. I will forever be in debt to Balnacarron staff for all their help.
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Review from Betty B (Cousin of Resident) published on 10 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My cousin has been a resident of Balnacarron for over a year and I have always found the staff and management excellent in every way.
The home has a very warm and caring environment and the staff are kind and caring at all times.
I would have no hesitation in recommending this home to anyone thinking
of moving there.
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Review from Isabel Anne I (Resident) published on 10 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely room. All the staff very obliging.
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Review from Archie R (Husband of Resident) published on 5 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
They were perfect in every way. The staff were brilliant and the manager.
Reply from Jayne Duck, Customer Services Administrator at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear about your positive experience and appreciate your comments of our home and will share your comments with the home’s manager.

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Review from S W (Son of Resident) published on 31 August 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Balnacarron Care Home has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Staff at all levels interact very well with the residents and seem to recognise individual personalities among the residents. Dad has settled in extremely well, he is happy, enjoys the meals and snacks and likes the entertainments and activities.
Staff seem to be genuinely fond of him. From a relatives point of view, Balnacarron Care Home has given me peace of mind knowing that dad is content, happy and well cared for.
Reply from Jayne Duck, Customer Services Administrator at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your review. It is lovely to know that your dad has settled and is enjoying what is on offer at the home and that you have peace of mind knowing that he is cared for.

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Review from F S (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 August 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A very caring environment in this home.
Staff work tirelessly to provide a true home for the residents even when under pressure because staffing may be less than ideal.
They always try to accommodate the needs and wishes of residents and relatives.
Reply from Jayne Duck, Customer Services Administrator at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear about your positive experience and appreciate your comments of our home and will share your comments with the home’s manager.

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Review from E M (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Balnacarron has looked after my mother for 3 years and throughout that period has consistently demonstrated the highest standard of care. The staff are delightful and create a real homely atmosphere.
They are very attentive to my mother's interests and ensure that her meals are organised to enable
her to attend church.
My mother has thrived in the home.
Reply from Jayne Duck, Customer Services Administrator at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your review. So glad to hear that all of your Mums needs and interests are looked after so that she can do the things that she enjoys when she wants to.

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Review from Roy M (Son of Resident) published on 15 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum had respite care for 3 weeks last September. She stayed in a garden room on the ground floor and her health improved significantly during this stay.
The care was excellent and the freedom to access the garden at will was a major aspect of her contentment.
Food was also good and the general feeling
of care and cheerfulness amongst staff were the principle supports that contributed to her improvement.
The home is well kept and very well run. My mother has now just returned to the home from her East Kilbride permanent home and she will now reside here for her permanent care.
Reply from Jayne Duck, Customer Services Administrator at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your review. It is good to hear that your Mum's health improved while she had her short stay with us and I'm sure that she will make lots of new friends now that she is staying with us.

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Review from Kenneth B (Resident) published on 16 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
Carers generally very helpful, laundry operators very good. Housekeeping is generally good but very poor entertainment programme. Food is generally very poor - no fresh vegetables and most items seem to be cheapest possible with no use of local items, such as fish, vegetables etc. Considering £1,700
per week for wife and self in one room, this appears to be extortionate.
Reply from Emily Wilson, Customer Service Administrator at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your review. Your comments are extremely important to us and our residents’ health and wellbeing are our absolute priority. We will discuss your feedback with the home’s manager to help them continually improve their service. The Bupa Customer Care Team.

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Review from Stephen H (Son of Resident) published on 9 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father has been a resident at Balnacarron Care Home for over 2 months. He is physically fit but has dementia. I am impressed by the ability of the staff to adapt to each resident's care requirements. The staff are well trained with a very good understanding of dementia care. My dad is always clean,
tidy, safe, happy and treated with dignity. There are many things the home is doing extremely well but the key things are having a very caring and professional attitude and always having the time to talk.
Reply from Jayne Duck, Customer servicies administrator at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear about your positive experience and appreciate your comments of our home and will share your comments with the home’s manager. The Bupa Customer Care Team

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Review from David S (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 16 January 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very good food, very kind staff and helpful. Feeling the loss of independence most strongly.
Reply from Rose Pickering, Customer Service Administrator at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your review, we appreciate your feedback. We are pleased to hear about your positive experience and appreciate your comments about our home and will share your comments with the home’s manager. The Bupa Customer Care Team.

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Review from D C (Resident) published on 23 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I have only been a resident in this home for about 4 weeks and so far I have found the staff very hard working and caring and the food very good.
Reply from Rachel Elliott, Customer Service Administrator at Balnacarron Care Home

Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear about your positive experience and appreciate your views of our home and will share your comments with the home manager. The Bupa Customer Care Team.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.897)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.897) out of 10 for Balnacarron Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 17 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 17 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:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.897 for Balnacarron Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (182 Excellents x 5) + (21 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 203 Ratings = 4.897
  2. 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 Balnacarron Care Home is based on 17 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 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
    2. 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 35 registered maximum number of service users is 7, which has been reached with 17 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. 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 Inspectorate (CI) Rating

Date: 14 Mar 2025
How well do we support people's wellbeing?
Very good (5)
How good is our leadership?
Good (4)
How good is our staff team?
Very good (5)
How good is our setting?
Good (4)
How well is care and support planned?
Good (4)
Care Inspectorate is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in Scotland. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (7)

Meet the Team (0)

There are no team members posted.

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