Windle Court

Recently I had grave concerns about staffing levels at the weekend which I raised 3 weeks ago. I was told this would be looked into.

When mum was dying the care she, and our family, received couldn't have been better.

The staff have been very busy, very good with his care and settled him in.

My mother has been living in Windle Court for 6 months. She was very agitated when she arrived but with help and kindness from the excellent staff, she has accepted that this is her home. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff and I cannot praise too highly how gentle and patient they are. Even the domestic staff know the residents by name and stop and chat to them. Family are welcome to visit at any time and are also invited to many of the activities taking place. Two full-time events staff ensure that there are activities morning and afternoon including visits from children, animals and days out. My mother went to her first music festival this year! One organised especially for dementia sufferers. The food is excellent and plentiful, there are no agency staff and the new manager is very present. She listens to any problems, takes the comments on board and makes the required changes.

My father was only a resident at Windle Court for a short period of time and we were new to this situation and concerned about how he would settle in the home. We need not have worried at all, as from the first time we visited the home, we were made very welcome and all the staff were extremely happy and helpful which put our minds at rest immediately. Sadly he was only a resident for 5 days before passing away. Again the staff were so supportive to us a family and they treated dad with the utmost dignity, respect and professionalism. While a resident at Windle Court, my father was the most content he had been for some months. We would have no hesitation in recommending Windle Court to anyone in the same situation.

It is a shame she is not guaranteed a respite room here.

Windle Court has been my mother's home for the last three years. Residents are all encouraged to spend time with others and join in activities, but if they are like my Mum and prefer their own company and like to stay in their own rooms, that's fine too. There is always someone popping in, carers, the laundry ladies and cleaners all offering a cheery chat. Mum has a keyworker who has been with her from the beginning. She is marvellous with Mum and always has time to listen to any worries I may have. I trust them completely. As Mum's dementia has got worse she can be moody and difficult. This was not her nature before the dementia and it has been hard to watch her deterioration. However, I have only ever seen patience and kindness towards her. I am kept informed of any problems and health issues and fully involved with any changes to her care. There have been a few management changes recently which is a shame, as it can unsettle the staff, but in my opinion, this has not affected the high standard of care offered to my mother.

Due to constant changes of staff and the use of agency staff, I feel that the standard of care has deteriorated. I have no problem with permanent staff, and feel for them as the hours of work are horrendous, sometimes without a break, and the staff ratio for residents is really inadequate.

Mum stays in her room; her wheelchair is too uncomfortable to sit in for long. Hence events in the home pass her by. She misses out on the manicures in the lounges, so her daughter in law does this now. On rare occasions an event is bought into her room, such as visiting animals, this really does help her.

My mother has just passed away, 10 May 2016. Her care in Windle Court has been absolutely excellent, wonderful team of people, caring and tending for her. It made her passing for us so much easier to bear.

The staff have been extremely helpful and caring in settling Dad into his new home. After living with me for 12 years it has been upsetting us as a family that we can no longer care for Dad/Granddad. Everyone has been kind to us all over the last few days to ensure he feels at home and has already made a new friend! So many thanks to Windle Court!

In my opinion Windle Court has gone downhill, but after a couple of meetings with management and regional directors, lots of discussions, hopefully it will pick up in the not so distant future. I have discussed a few issues and they are being looked at.

Very happy and satisfied with the staff and home. Not satisfied with the level of care on Saturday and Sunday. There always seems to be a shortage of carers. Very happy with the room, the facilities and the weekday staff.