Bedford Care Home

My grandma moved into care about a year and a half ago and transitioned to Bedford in April this year. She's now in a nursing dementia unit where she's receiving excellent care. She's settled in wonderfully, enjoying her meals, participating in the activities offered, and joining in the communal events and parties. She interacts really well with the carers and nurses. Moving her to Bedford was the best decision we could have made for her health and well-being, as well as for our family.

All the staff, from managers, admin, cleaner and carers, work so hard. It has really taken so much stress away from me and my family knowing he is so cared for.

Her care needs are looked after quite well, even though I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my sister's care. I have done this job and totally understand that not everything can run to plan.

I visit my daughter each week. She says she is happy where she is. Likes her room and is happy with the care she receives. All her care is met to a good standard.

We are mostly happy with the care my dad gets. Things have improved since one of the ladies has returned to the unit.

I cannot thank the staff enough for all they do for my mother.

Firstly I cannot fault the care my father received during his stay in Beech House. Unfortunately, the administration at Head Office is another matter. My father died on 15th Feb 2024 and on the week of his funeral, my Mother found out that they had taken another month's money for his care for March (in excess of £6,000). After numerous emails, most of which get ignored and only replied to when threatening legal action, they stated a refund was being completed as they had missed a date for completion. This refund never took place and all subsequent emails are now being ignored. My 88-year-old mother is now having to engage the services of a solicitor to try and finally get the refund. We are also going to report this to the relevant ombudsmen and a television show, as we have now discovered this has happened in other care homes in the Advinia group in the Midlands and Scotland. As I said care was great but the stress imposed by them on an 88-year-old after the death of her husband is unacceptable.

All the nurses and care workers and all the management are excellent, caring and supportive. They care for my wife with dignity and kindness, everyone on the unit are the best you can have.

Staff very friendly and organised. Drinks and meals given with care. Any problems, staff will help to solve. Always tidy and clean.

We have had good communication from the ward staff about Mum's progress and condition and have also always felt welcome when visiting.

When my partner was placed at the care home after being offered a place, the staff there were really good and got my partner settled almost instantly she is now a permanent resident. All the staff are helpful/friendly and professional, my partner is happy and content with being well looked after and every day she is improving a little with her individual health problems.

My mum came into Bedford Care Home for an assessment in September 2023. The staff were courteous and could not do enough for my mum. The doctor assigned to the unit was also extremely helpful and companionate as to my mum's needs. Each day, the staff kept us informed of my mum's progress but unfortunately, through my mum's illness, she deteriorated. Again, the staff were wonderful even after she passed away. I have nothing but praise for the staff.

My grandmother was admitted to the centre for assessment and unfortunately, her experience was very poor. I caveat this review by saying I know it’s not an easy job for the staff at times, however, the building looks very tired and in need of maintenance. Residents are left to sit staring at a TV with very little interaction, the staff all seem to talk to each other rather than checking if everyone is ok, and I can’t see anyone doing anything other than decline rapidly when staying here.

I would recommend Bedford Care Home, simple answer from our own experience - yes. Once again thanks to every one of you.

We are so grateful for the genuine care and compassion and Mum speaks fondly of staff even now home.

Moving a loved relative into a care home is a very stressful and traumatic time, and I just want to say a huge thank you to all at Bedford Care Home.

My Aunt was cared for at Astley House. The staff were amazing with her, she loved them and they treated her as part of the family. The communication was excellent even through the pandemic. I felt they supported us through this too and were always willing and had time to answer questions and put our minds at ease. So thank you to all the staff. Each and everyone went above and beyond and for that, I am truly grateful. The staff were caring, compassionate and professional even in the difficult times the pandemic brought. A credit to Bedford. Thank you so much for taking good care of my Aunty and also making sure my Mum (91 yrs young) was ok when she came to visit.

Croft House. Very understaffed, with nurses telling residents to soil in their pads and then leaving them for hours before changing them. Rude agency staff. Residents all lay in their beds with a nappy/pad tied around them. Not allowed to leave their rooms. The place stinks, only one visit per day and this includes medical staff. My sister was told our mum had her one visit booked and that was with physio. Patients/residents still not dressed or washed/changed at lunchtime. Six days to get a doctor to visit. If you have any love or respect for the one needing care, please find another home. We have witnessed residents crying because they have wet themselves and they are scared to tell some members of staff (mostly agency). I haven't got the energy to put in words (again) how bad this place is. This could be an amazing place, but lack of staff, bad management, and underfunding means the residents are suffering, physically and mentally.

Discharged from the hospital for one week's respite and was placed in the dementia unit. Own room which was dirty, including furniture, no bed rails on the bed (history of falls). The panic/calling button on the side table had no battery in, so not able to call for assistance (I am bed-bound). My wife confirmed to staff my room was dirty (they said it was because of me gathering up the quilt cover!) The food was bland and not appetising. Some staff were bullying me. My wife, on visiting me a few days after my admittance, stated I looked like I had never been washed because of dirt around my nails, and the groin area looked unclean. My catheter bag had not been changed by staff and was overdue for this. I was not given liquid often (just spent two weeks in hospital with a bad water infection) plus, when I had my 4 pm meds, I was also given a purple liquid, which was not my usual medication.

My father spent his final six months in Bedford Care Home, which is managed by a fabulous lady who is always so supportive and willing to answer queries honestly. They have fabulous staff too, including three members of staff in particular. Thank you so much to everyone for making my father's final days as comfortable as possible. My father loved his time at Bedford Care Home despite his Dementia and underlying health conditions. I shall never forget your kindness and compassion. You're all a blessing to humanity. Thanks again to the manager and another member of staff in particular, your careers will go far.