Bowburn Care Centre

My mother went into Bowburn in 2017 December. She has full-blown Alzheimers. She didn't know any of us. My dad went every day to visit her and stay for his dinner. He was made most welcome. The staff were brilliant. We found mam very well looked after, and dad for that matter. Mam died in hospital in October. We cannot thank the staff of Bowburn enough for taking such good care of her especially through lockdown when we could not visit.

Staff are helpful, manager is approachable. Always pleasant reception staff. Any queries or problems dealt with as soon as possible. Regarding food, not sure whether cheeseburgers and chips is a suitable menu choice. Having worked as a catering manager in a care home, I would like to see more nourishing meals offered

My husband resided in Bowburn home from July 2018 to July 2019. Bowburn was the only place with a bed available in an all-male unit. I was quite happy with the home, the carers were very caring and capable and pleasant. After a few months and lack of staff, the all-male unit was integrated with the women. Happily, my husband fitted in very well and there were no issues. A few months on I could sense something wasn’t right, staff were also confused and there was an uneasy feeling amongst everyone. On July the 8th 2018 I was told to start and look for another home for my husband I was devastated. The home was beginning to have a few issues and one was that it was changing from EMI Nursing to Residential Care. I have found a lovely home for my husband and am more than happy that he is settled and content. I would like to thank Bowburn for helping my husband go from men only unit to where he is today. I wish the manager and her staff all the best for the future.

After a home visit by a senior member of staff, my husband was offered accommodation. He was welcomed by friendly, attentive staff. The most valuable asset of this home are the staff - friendly attentive, humorous and approachable!

At Bowburn Care Centre there are some great care staff working to their best without direction or support. Staff morale is really low at present within the facility. There is a shortage of qualified nurses so a lot of agency staff are being used at present. Very little to no stimulation on the dementia units during the day and none at all weekends. This has a detrimental effect on the service users' mental health wellbeing as they go into shutdown mode. Food prepared to meet service users' needs but tea time menus always seem to be a sandwich or soup. Service users seem to be given their tea wherever they are sat rather than be taken to the dining area as this is supposed to be a social activity and doesn't happen. We've been waiting for redecoration to happen on the EMI nursing unit since November 2018 - this is still not complete. Rooms are very basic. Management are not approachable. Odour issues, no toilet routines. I would not recommend this facility.

I have always been happy with the care given to my husband. Staff all very approachable. Cleanliness of the home is good and I find the 'never a smell of urine' an important issue.

This care home is well presented and the staff are very caring and look after the service users very well. My only complaint is they never offer an update on my mum's wellbeing. The nursing staff will give some information when asked but I feel our family would benefit from a meeting maybe bi-monthly, giving us updates on Mothers eating, sleeping and general well being.

My dad has settled into the home well. He appears happy. Staff are friendly and helpful. Rooms are ok, maybe a bit cramped in the lounge and dining room area for the number of residents at the moment. My dads bedroom has basic furniture, would be nice to see it upgraded to the standard of the new nursing wing. His room has a shower/wet room with toilet, sink but really very cramped and not practical for showering. Good activities and coordinators. Regular outside entertainment.

My dad moved into Bowburn Care Centre about one year ago after a spell in hospital. As Mum had already moved in while Dad was in hospital, the staff kindly arranged for Mum and Dad to stay together in adjacent rooms. Whilst at Bowburn they have been well looked after and supported by the kind and caring staff. As we live some distance from Bowburn it has been important for us to have complete confidence that they are being treated well. The facilities and standard of care are very good and we have always been given a warm and friendly welcome when we visit. We are confident that Mum will continue to be well-supported following the recent loss of my dad.

From the first day my uncle was settled and happy. I found every member of staff extremely kind and helpful. His bedroom was very comfortable and clean. I thought the garden in the centre was very good as you could access it from all the lounges and at the same time keep the residents safe and secure. My uncle often commented on how good the meals were and how caring the staff were. I was extremely satisfied with the care my uncle was given and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

My Mam was taken when she was really poorly at Christmas and needed to go from residential to nursing care. Even though there was no space for nursing, the staff here bent over backwards to accommodate us and keep my Mam in her home. Mam saw her last day in here and the level of care and compassion from all the staff was second to none. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for the dignity shown in my mams final weeks. THANKYOU ALL VERY MUCH.

My nan developed dementia and was sadly unable to remain in her home of 60+ years, so with a heavy heart the family decided on Bowburn Care Centre as her next home. And boy was it a home! From day one, she was made to feel like a friend returning to the fold. The staff treat her with the greatest of care and compassion, many of them looking upon my nan as their own grandma. When she took poorly, she moved up nearer to the nurses, the transition was flawless and you would never know she had moved. In her final weeks, she was again treated with the highest of standards and the utmost dignity at all times. How these members of staff do it I don't know because I couldn't.