Barchester Rivermead Care Home

During Coronavirus there hasn't been much contact. On outdoor visits the staff changes are phenomenal. The review is based on previously as unable to see food, staff etc. My dad was also at Rivermead until his passing. Mum seems happy enough as she has also deteriorated so much in this pandemic.

Highly recommend the care and dedication of the staff is of a very high standard. Residents' quality of life and care seems very utmost of this provider.

Yes; I would love to be able to visit my husband, although I am fortunate to be able to FaceTime him each day, but having just experienced a further lockdown because a family member recently contracted the virus, I'm not confident. Finally, I understand that in the event of claims being made as a result of treatment during the course of coronavirus, and I'm sure that lawyers will be very keen to do so, the Government has agreed to indemnify the hospitals, but not nursing homes? Which seems disgraceful.

Rivermead helped our family at a very difficult time when Mum needed specialist care. From day one, the staff have treated her very professionally and cared for her needs. During this difficult time, they have kept us updated with any changes to Mum and been very accommodating with our weekly visits. During Mum's stay so far, her general health has improved dramatically.

My mother spent over 3 years with you. Very good care. Excellent food and friendly staff. Great atmosphere most of the time.

My father was admitted to Rivermead after spending 3 months in the hospital. The management and staff made my father feel at home from the start. The care home is clean. The staff are all very friendly and approachable. My father has made very good progress, built his strength back up and now ready to mix back out into the community. Would I recommend Rivermead to anyone? Most definitely.

Dad has some of the best care living at Rivermead. The only thing is that some key staff have been moved to the other unit, which in my opinion would upset residents.

Rivermead has been in complete chaos for months. No manager, no senior nurse. Too many agency staff at weekends who have no idea of resident's needs. Staff try hard but difficult for them in the circumstances. Let's hope it improves soon.

At various times of the day, there's only one member of staff on the section. Clothes are not washed, clients are wearing the same clothes day and night for two weeks. They are not having any baths or being washed. Very dirty toilets. Food is not eaten. Personal (named) items going missing and the rooms are very dirty with curtains hanging off the rails.

Recently under new management after several months of instability. New management seems promising but too early to asses as few improvements made so far. Environment is pleasant, bright and clean. Refreshments for visitors available in reception area which is appreciated. Staff generally very friendly but not proactive in supporting and engaging with residents, likely due to staffing levels and long shifts. Communication between staff/management and relatives could be improved, and documentation regarding care not readily available. Some hygiene issues (bathing, hand hygiene and dental care) brought forward but not yet resolved. Sometimes difficult to contact relative by phone, especially at the weekend. Care appears to be confined to the time constraints of the carers rather than the needs of the residents.

Under fairly new management so some areas that are presently unsatisfactory hopefully will be improving. Surroundings are very pleasant. Staff, on the whole, are friendly, helpful and caring. However, we have had issues with personal care including bathing (which is being addressed) and hand and mouth hygiene.

Food and drink is usually of a reasonable quality but not very flexible if a resident would like something more unusual or changes their mind. Staff are not proactive in offering alternatives. Hard to justify very expensive fees.

I have always been impressed with the quality of the care/nursing staff at Rivermead nursing home. They deal with the most challenging of care needs and treat everyone with courtesy and respect. Tonight I have been sitting with my very ill Mum in law and witnessed the night team at work. These ladies came on at 8pm. It's now past 1 am and I haven't seen them sit down once! They have checked in on us four times, changed and turned my mum in law twice. Every room has been checked regularly and they have responded to at least four alarms. Every Person has been treated with care and respect. Nursing homes can never be as perfect as you would want for you mum or dad but with cares like these Rivermead is probably as good as it gets for dementia suffers.

Sometimes she can be cantankerous, so she is not always easy to help, but they seem to calm her down.

My mum is very well cared for. All the staff are very good at their jobs. Genuinely fond of mum, even when she is fractious with them, cannot fault them. They always ring if need to and also show us details of injuries she has received due to falls she has, which is very reassuring to us as a family. All in all, her care is excellent.

My husband and myself are also treated with great kindness, whenever we visit.

My mother has been a resident at Rivermead since June 2016. Her needs are complex, including severe dementia caused by brain damage, resulting in intermittent challenging behaviour.

The care has been exemplary throughout, I'm totally reassured that she is looked after with compassion and skill. The staff have always been fully involved, very approachable and have supported me recently with issues arising from external agencies.

The environment is always clean with stimulating images and artefacts throughout the communal areas. Even during difficult periods, her personal care, hair and hygiene are good.

Rivermead has been our lifeline - I can't envisage my mother's life elsewhere.

My wife is well accepted here, all the staff help her. The food is very good and I have been made very welcome to have my lunch here with her, it is very good. I would certainly recommend it to people to bring any member of the family requiring the service and help.

Rivermead is an excellent care home.My father has advanced dementia and the staff are so caring and strive to give the best possible attention to all residents and treat them with dignity and respect. The home itself is a lovely, homely building with the residential rooms set in a square around a central lounge and dining area in memory lane (dementia Unit). This is reassuring from a safety perspective. The carers and nursing team are attentive and spot any issues without delay.

I have been at Rivermead for over a year while my husband has been unwell. It feels like home, all staff are caring and friendly. I go on trips with activities regularly and have been shopping, out for coffee trips and the lavender farm.

During this time he has been cared for by experienced friendly nursing staff. He is very well fed, the food is excellent and caters for lack of teeth! The entertainments are very good but could do with a bit more for the gentlemen. Outings are every week,m very varied and entertaining. Dad grows tomatoes in the greenhouse as this is something he has always done and keeps him interested in the garden. All in all, I think Rivermead Care Home is very well run and the residents are well looked after.

The staff are friendly and helpful. The area itself is good for the residents to go outside and take a walk. The care home is always clean and tidy. Big sitting area and relaxing areas. The gardens are lovely, could imagine residents would love it in the summer. I've experienced seeing the live music within the care home, the activities too. There's always something going on and it seems the residents enjoy the activities etc.