Balgowan House

46 Bartholomew Lane, Hythe CT21 4BX
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9.8 75 Reviews
  • Balgowan House, Hythe
Balgowan House is a well-established nursing home located close to the centre of Saltwood village near Hythe in Kent. The building has recently been extended and refurbished (completed 2016) to provide warm, welcoming and comfortable accommodation for up to forty residents.

Balgowan House is able to offer single or shared occupancy with the option of en-suite facilities in accommodation provided over two floors with two lifts giving access to all areas.

Residents are able to personalise their own rooms and enjoy the spacious and comfortable social areas, well-kept gardens, a sheltered patio and a conservatory.

Nursing and care assistants are available throughout the day and night, with call systems in bedrooms that add to residents' sense of security, and home-cooked meals supporting the pursuit of good health and nutrition.
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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
  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 40 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Convalescent Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

All fees are dependent on care needs assessment.

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Ann-Marie Miles (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 50+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No
  • Last Refurbishment: 2016

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (34)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (3)

Visiting

  • Balgowan House welcomes visitors at any time.

Parking

  • Parking is available in the car park as well as unrestricted parking in Bartholomew Lane.

Balgowan House Reviews (75)

9.8

Balgowan House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.758) out of 10, based on 23 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Balgowan House has 75 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 66
  • 8
  • 1
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Date Published
  • 75
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  • 23
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Reviewer Connection to Balgowan House
  • 25
  • 11
  • 7
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  • 3
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  • 2
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  • 1
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Total of 75, showing 41-60
Review from R K (Son of Resident) published on 23 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My father spent a contented period of two and a half years at Balgowan House. He regularly told me how lucky he was to be living there and how caring the staff were. Whilst his room was small, it was south-facing, and he enjoyed watching the sun go round. The facilities were good, including a bed with
sides that could be raised at night and an air mattress on the bed to prevent pressure sores. The food was varied, and he enjoyed it. One member of staff was particularly caring and helped Dad to contact me by FaceTime twice a week. All staff were sad to see Dad move to Lincolnshire.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you for your kind review; it is very much appreciated.

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Review from Elizabeth D (Friend of Resident) published on 23 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Each time I visit my friend, I am well received by the staff. Always offered tea, biscuits or cake. Extremely relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you for your kind review. There is always tea, biscuits and cake ready for any resident or visitor who fancies them.

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Review from J F (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 23 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A very warm and caring home where my relative is well looked after.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you for your kind review; it is very much appreciated, and we are so glad you were happy with the service we provide.

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Review from Jillian N (Friend of Resident) published on 23 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My overall opinion of the home is good. The staff and carers are, for the most part, kind, caring and helpful. The problem over the last months has been a shortage of staff (especially at weekends), which has an impact on everything. I feel that it's also not fair on the staff left to carry the load.
Recruitment of more staff is needed now.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you so much for your review. Hythe Care Homes are doing a massive recruitment push at the moment. As I am sure you are aware, care staff is a national shortage, not just locally, and we are doing everything to attract new members of the team.
We also really value the hard work our current staff are having to do in order to maintain the care. I am sure you will see this start to improve very soon.

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Review from J D (Wife of Resident) published on 23 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All staff are friendly and welcoming. My husband seems to have settled and never says anything about waiting to come home.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you, Jeanne, for your kind review. He always seems so content in the home, which is wonderful.

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Review from T F (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum came to Balgowan House in May 2022, and I have found the staff to be absolutely amazing. They are all so very kind and caring towards all the residents. Mum has settled in well, and I believe it is due to the wonderful staff.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased mum has settled and that you are happy with the care we provide.

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Review from Hazel H (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have only good things to say about Balgowan House.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you, Hazel, for your positive review. It is very much appreciated, and we are glad you feel this way about the home.

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Review from R C (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent care home, which I recommend to people. Excellent, friendly and caring staff. Very clean. Excellent activities, especially the "Jubille", which I followed on Facebook. I have no part in her finances, so cannot comment on value for money.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you for such a positive review. It is very much appreciated by the Balgowan team, who work endlessly to make the home a wonderful environment for all the residents and their families.

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Review from I W (Husband of Resident) published on 10 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Most staff are helpful, patient and understanding and do their utmost to ensure patients are safe, cared for, and importantly, content.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you so much for your review. It is very much appreciated. The resident's safety, care and quality of life are what are most important to us.

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Review from L Y (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been here for five-plus years and has had fantastic care. The staff are very caring also, the manager has been very helpful and supportive.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you so much for your kind review. It is our pleasure to care for your mum, and we are glad you are pleased with the care we provide.

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Review from Roma M (Cousin of Resident) published on 6 June 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
During my cousin's six-year stay here, the staff here, have almost 100% loving and caring. Despite the long hours and poor pay, they have shown nothing but love, kindness, shared humour and as much time as their workload has allowed. I cannot praise them highly enough and would wish that all care homes
had such lovely staff.
Reply from Angie Peterson, Client Relationship Manager at Balgowan House

Thank you so much for your kind words. It was our utmost pleasure to provide the care required.

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Review from J H (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 June 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Across the board, our mother is well cared for at Balgowan.
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Review from M B (Wife of Resident) published on 10 June 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Balgowan House is bright and welcoming with a great ambience. My husband's care has been outstanding. Every member of staff, regardless of their role, have been kind, considerate, caring and compassionate and some have a great sense of humour too! He is treated with dignity and respect, and we have
both been involved in decisions regarding his care, which is especially important in these difficult times, as is the care and support given to myself and the family.
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Review from R L (Son of Resident) published on 8 June 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have found Balgowan House has a caring, friendly and compassionate atmosphere. The staff and management are helpful and approachable to residents and their families.
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Review from C L (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 3 June 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Balgowan House is a lovely home. The staff and management are very helpful and very approachable. They all seem happy in their work. They show a lot of compassion with the residence. I'm sure we made the right choice for my mother-in-law.
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Review from Ros C (Stepdaughter of Resident) published on 10 July 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent home with very friendly excellent staff. The activities lady is excellent.
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Review from Janet C (Niece of Resident) published on 28 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A warm and welcoming are home with a friendly atmosphere. Excellent care was given to my uncle who relied totally on staff to anticipate and meet all his complex needs. Care was always professional, but given cheerfully with genuine warmth and kindness. Although my uncle was unable to communicate verbally,
he trusted the staff, always giving his carers a smile - I knew he was content and comfortable. As a relative, I was always welcomed at any time and kept up to date with his care. The home itself was always clean and tidy, I could find no fault and was very grateful to all staff for making my uncle last year so bearable.
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Review from Carol R (Daughter of Resident) published on 1 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Gound the building spotless, the carers just that, carers kind and friendly.
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Review from Elizabeth L (Sister of Resident) published on 23 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Balgowan in Saltwood has given my Sister first-class care and nursing for 15 years. Sadly she passed away in March. Balgowan is a bright, clean and tidy place. The accommodation is homely too. Meals were nutritionally balanced and prepared by the chef daily. Staff helped my Sister when she needed support
at meal times and to have as much independence as she wanted.
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Review from Pat T (Daughter of Resident) published on 20 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot emphasise enough the fantastic care my mother received during her stay at Balgowan House. Balgowan House has a very family orientated feel as soon as you walk in and the care given to my mother was nothing less than brilliant. The staff as a whole are very dedicated, polite and helpful. I cannot
recommend them highly enough.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.758)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.758) out of 10 for Balgowan House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 23 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 23 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 4.758 for Balgowan House is calculated as follows: ( (209 Excellents x 5) + (55 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 269 Ratings = 4.758
  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 Balgowan House is based on 23 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 40 registered maximum number of service users is 8, which has been reached with 23 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 Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 16 Jan 2020

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Good
Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England. View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (0)

Meet the Team (5)

Ann-Marie

Ann-Marie Miles

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2016

I qualified as a State Enrolled Nurse in 1983 and later as a Registered General Nurse in 2002, gaining both clinical and management experience within the NHS in both hospital and district nursing environments.


I was appointed to the position of Registered Home Manager of Balgowan House in May 2018 having previously been Registered Manager at another Kent care home.


My time at Balgowan has been incredible and have an amazing team and wonderful residents.

Barbara

Barbara Kelly

Job Title: Deputy Manager

I qualified as a registered Mental Nurse in 1981 gaining experience in a large psychiatric hospital, I then completed my general nurse training in 1985 qualifying in 1986. I worked in a large general hospital in Paisley in both Orthopaedics and General surgery and then moved to Kent in 1989. After moving to Kent I managed a small nursing home for 12 years and then worked for Social services for 15 years as a Care manager and Senior Practitioner.
I joined the Balgowan Team in 2016 as deputy Manager and enjoy working with my colleagues to help run the home.

Cassandra

Cassandra Williams

Job Title: Administrator Joined: 2000

Cassie Williamson started a BTEC National Diploma in Health Studies in 1997, she worked in various roles before joining Balgowan House in March 2000 as a Health Care Assistant (NVQ 3). Cassie very much enjoyed the role and remained in the post for 15 years. In 2015 the Home Manager introduced a new administration role and she was quickly identified as the perfect candidate.


Cassie is a major support to the Home Manager and everything she does is integral to the day-to-day running of the home. The role is extremely busy, but Cassie enjoys the challenges and variety each day brings. Cassie may now be doing the admin work, but she still spends time interacting with the residents and getting involved in the home’s activities and events. She is a very valued member of the Balgowan team.

Maureen

Maureen Cullen

Job Title: Activities Coordinator

Mo is the activities Coordinator for Balgowan House.


She ensures that every resident has interaction and activities each day.


All residents are considered when activities are planned - from arts and crafts to music to events.


Outside entertainers are a regular feature here at Balgowan and family and friends are always welcome.

Cathy and Bev

Cathy and Bev

Job Title: Chef Cook

Cathy has worked for Integrum since 2012, first at Saltwood full time, then here at Balgowan full time. She also is bank Chef between all 3 homes as and when required.


Bev has worked for Balgowan since 2016, first as a carer sometimes helping with the cooking, now just cooking part time!


They pride themselves on cooking, fresh home cooked food for the residents.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Balgowan House to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Balgowan House has an Enhanced Service - more info.