Fern Gardens Care Home

I was very upset that my husband had to move into a nursing home but the staff are all so kind and caring and they have made us both feel very welcome. Of course it is very difficult when a loved one has complex and conflicting needs, but the staff and GPs understand this and they are working together as a team to try to resolve any problems. I can see my husband is eating very well and that he is being well cared for by all the staff at Fern Gardens.

My overall rating is excellent because whenever I visited my Aunt at Fern Garden Care Home, I noticed the cleanliness of the facility, the Staff were easily available for the Resident as well as to the Visitors, and timely scheduling for the Resident meals and taking medication.

I also received regular communication through email regarding her health and residency condition. They also informed me whenever there is medical procedure she requires.

They sent me Resident/Relatives Meeting Invitations and Meeting Notes, which is important for me to know what is going on at Care Home.

Despite recurrent shortages the staff do an excellent job often working well beyond their basic hours and duties. Eating requirements have become more complex and demanding than in the old days so the catering staff do their best to meet these challenges but naturally it is impossible to achieve 100%. There is generally a happy atmosphere in the home and the staff are very caring.

He has been on a number of outings, which I'm sure he has enjoyed as the photos that are put on the website show how much fun they are having.

When I arrived to visit my grandad, there was no one on reception to greet me and let me in. When I managed to attract someone's attention I was quickly shown to the area I needed to go to. The staff all seemed friendly and said hello to me, but I was disappointed to see the communal TV showing you tube reruns of Britain's got talent. Not exactly appropriate for the elderly residents staying there. My grandad said "I don't think much of the music they play here". Is this something the staff like to watch? Surely it would be more appropriate to have age related programs, maybe BBC 3, ITV4 etc, or easy listening radio, eg smooth fm. My grandad seemed happy with the care home other than this. When I left, again there was no one on reception to let me out.

The staff at Fern Gardens are some of the kindest people I've ever met. I have seen my mum's time here improve her mental and physical health significantly. I am always informed by telephone how my mum is getting on, and when I visit, my mum is clean, happy and in a great mood. I am eternally grateful to you all for everything you do. You are all angels!

Mum was a resident for 10 months. The staff are lovely and welcoming. Mum was also happy to see them. Good communication with the family. Nothing too much trouble. The food was very nice. Mum was very happy while she was there.

Our family cannot express how much we appreciate Fern Garden Care Home for the excellent level of care and kindness to my father. The sincere care that all members of Fern Garden Care Home have given to my dad is a gift to our family.

The wing is run with the utmost care and sees over the staff who perform well.

My Father is very settled at Fern Gardens. The staff are friendly and the other residents are well looked after. The residents are given refreshments at regular intervals whenever I come to visit and the staff seem to recognise what their individual needs are.

Thank you all so much for looking after my dad. Even when he could be a challenge you took time to treat him with respect. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much.

We found it very difficult to communicate with the home. My opinion is 1/10

I visited my friend in Fern Gardens Care Home several times during her stay. I was always bowled over by the caring nature of the staff. All of them were very good to her and with her. They were also very helpful and friendly to the visitors. You are all doing an amazing job and thank you, keep it up.

My mother has been in this care home for nearly a year now. It did take a while for her to settle in but she is doing ok now. I did request a move as mum's first room was very dark, she has got a new room now which is much brighter. The home is very accommodating, letting you make the room your own with pictures etc. so I would like to say thank you for this. Any problems with the room the maintenance man is brilliant and will always come and help you. The majority of staff are fantastic, they seem to know all their patients individually and their needs. You will always get a very small minority of staff who are not as good, but this would be the case in all similar establishments due to staff cover and agency staff. The management and admin staff are very approachable and you can ask questions at any time. They also have regular meetings where you can bring up any concerns. When the home has events i.e. Christmas parties, summer barbeques etc., they really do excel, the entertainment and buffets supplied are brilliant, a good day is had by all. I think the amenities can still improve a bit, but I think this is an ongoing programme with decoration and new dining room etc. The daily activities programme is full but I am never there in the day to actually comment on this. My mum will always tell me she has done nothing! I know this is not the case. For patients who like to stay up later in the evening, I find they are just sitting in the lounge, maybe they could have someone still doing some sort of activity but I do understand it all depends on staffing. A receptionist in the evening would also be good but I do understand budget constraints etc. When I visit I always find mum is clean and comfortable and I am generally happy that she is being looked after properly. I would recommend this care home.

I am very grateful for all the help that the staff delivered.

The atmosphere itself in the care home is very nice. My mother regularly goes for walks with a staff member and is involved in some activities despite the fact that she is not able to see anything.

In the few months that my father has been in Fern Gardens, he has settled in well. The staff have been great in making this so. The staff have been very informative when my father has been unwell, keeping me updated at all times. The staff are very friendly and approachable. I have no concerns with anything as my father also seems very content.

Short visit but very friendly caring staff.

Carers at home are caring. They seem to interact with the elderly. Seems to be well planned weekly activities. My only complaint is that anything bought for residents such as clothes, shoes, slippers etc gets distributed among the incorrect residents after laundry day. All items are marked but it doesn't seem to matter. Slippers with fur inside bought for comfort for dad have gone missing multiple times. On visiting he's always wearing other people's clothes and slippers. This is extremely frustrating.

My friend expressed that she felt comfortable and at home and that she would like to return for respite care in the future which is a good recommendation. Thanks!