The Porterbrook Care Home

I have been looked after so well at Porterbrook care home. The staff were lovely and friendly and would fetch you anything you wanted if it was possible. The facilities and food were very good. I had my hair and nails done and really enjoyed my stay.

Dad spent five weeks at Porterbrook on respite care. We found all the staff extremely helpful friendly and professional. Dad’s accommodation was roomy, clean and nicely decorated with a real feeling of "home" to it. We would not hesitate to recommend Porterbrook to anyone or contact them in the future for Dad to either visit for respite or long-term care.

My father who has dementia came to Porterbrook for a week's respite care. We had a detailed pre-visit assessment of all his care needs and we were given clear instructions regarding admission and settling in relation to the current covid rules. We had regular telephone contact with him during the week and good communication from staff regarding his progress. When I went to collect him, he presented as happy and content and reports he’s had a lovely holiday and the food was great. I know he made particular reference to two staff members, in particular, who cared for him but thanks to everyone, who made us stay so stress free.

Mum went into The Porterbrook last September after her dementia made it difficult to live independently. A difficult decision for the family and not helped by the current pandemic. Here we are 6 months on and we are delighted with her care. She has put back on the previously lost weight (too many cooked breakfasts that she claims she is not having!) and is still bright, cheerful and engaged which is primarily down to the staff and setting. The Porterbrook was chosen because it has more of a hotel feel than a care setting and I was delighted when I finally got a bedroom visit to find it was modern, bright and spacious. The staff have been excellent both in terms of care and administration with families being kept informed of the ever-changing government visitor restrictions. It is difficult to review some aspects due to the restrictions but overall we know she is in safe hands.

I was told off this week for appearing at 9.45 am to see a friend for a quick window visit and drop off some goodies for him. Apparently, I'm not allowed to come before 10 am. I personally feel it's more like a prison than a care home. My friend's hair is never brushed and last week he was walking holding his trousers up as his belt needed more holes and no one had informed family that he had lost a lot of weight and needed smaller trousers.

Mum was very reluctant for respite care, especially in the middle of a pandemic, we as a family were also worried, however, we were all very reassured by the staff. Mum was well looked after and enjoyed her stay, she even met an old work friend who was also resident in Porterbrook. Although we were unable to visit we could have a garden visit and phone calls which were very reassuring. Thank you for all the kindness you showed to my mum. She thoroughly enjoyed her stay.

The Porterbrook Care Home have kept me informed of testing, what they're doing to keep the residents entertained, and sending photos, which show my mother looking happy and well dressed. This has been of great comfort as I've not been able to travel to see my mother since March. I must express my gratitude to the staff for being so nice and doing such a brilliant job in keeping everyone safe.

My mother has been in The Porterbrook Care Home on a respite basis. Due to Covid restrictions, I have not been inside the home. However, I am exceptionally impressed by the kindness and support received from the staff. There is real continuity of care, with a sense of family and community whenever I ring. They immediately know what my mother has been doing that day, how she is, what her moods are. I very much like the fact that I can speak to named individuals who are looking after her. They have taken the trouble to try to understand her and analyse her needs and to come up with strategies to help and support her. I am very grateful to them and would not hesitate to recommend the Porterbrook.

I feel confident with the level of care that mum receives. Mum feels happy and that makes me happy. The staff are lovely and very helpful.

I have already recommended the care home to a personal friend, whose mother now lives in the care home.

My mother suffers from advanced dementia and I have not been able to enter the premises due to the Coronavirus outbreak, so my comments cannot be specific. However, all members of staff have been helpful and polite when I have contacted them and have been very proactive in supporting communications between my mother and me when I have visited from outside.

Staff are friendly and helpful. Sometimes not enough of them. Premises always clean and warm.

He loves the food which I have enjoyed too! Facilities and cleanliness are really good. A very friendly atmosphere.

It's not a place to care for people that need caring for, great place if you can look after yourself and only need minimal help.

Thank you so much, so sad to be leaving you all. Massive thanks xx

I've been highly impressed with everything about this home. The staff are amazing and really care about the residents. It is really clean and tidy and I would highly recommend to all.

On arrival, we were met by friendly staff who took us to the room and offered their assistance with settling my husband into his accommodation which included en-suite facilities which included a wet room. I was happy to leave him in their care. The food varied and well balanced. There are activities every day. My husband was in for respite and I am re-booking he is quite happy to go into care again.

This care home shines like a new pin, but the resident care is lacking. The activities are very poorly run - one "activity" is reading extracts from the newspaper to the residents. The residents are never taken out and the "chauffeur driven car" is for use only if one of the staff with a driving licence is available to drive it and there is any petrol in it. All requests are met grudgingly. The website advertises a minibus. We have not seen a minibus in over a year's residence at the home, and if one exists, it is never used and well hidden. Activities include having hair and nails done. The staff are good but there aren't enough of them. Basically, the residents are bored to death and don't receive targeted care. We have never properly sat down with the management to set out a care plan.

Excellent care. As my husband's dementia increases, so do the way he is looked after. I go every day and have never seen one of the nurses, carers or kitchen staff be anything but kind and gentle with everyone - including me.

During his stay Dad was not allowed outside as there were not enough staff on duty. The staff we met were very pleasant but not experienced or organised in the more challenging aspects of dementia. They were trying to control him rather than manage his needs. There are no gardens and nowhere secure to go outside. Activities were limited, there were no trips out or visits to local establishments. Dad was asked to leave as he couldn’t adjust to being locked in.