Amherst Court

Palmerston Road, Chatham ME4 6LU
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9.2 74 Reviews
  • Amherst Court, Chatham
Amherst Court is a modern, purpose-built care home located in Chatham, providing well equipped, bright en suite bedrooms to support person-centred care.

On the ground floor the cafe provides a meeting place for family and friends, and the beauty salon 'Ship Shape' allows residents to treat themselves to hairstyling and beauty treatments.

Amherst Court's Philosophy of Care encourages social interaction, engagement and the eradication of boredom, helping to develop new interests and hobbies.

Amherst Court has daily activities that everyone can be a part of with song and dance, trips out to towns, museums and many other places of interest.

Amherst Court provides 24-hour care and support for people living with dementia with a team of qualified and attentive staff, focusing on the individual needs of every resident.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 112 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1384
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1384
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1523
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1523

The fee covers all dietary and hydration requirements: breakfast, lunch/dinner and evening meal with snacks and drinks offered throughout the day; laundry; medication administration/assistance; entertainment/companionship; personal care, cleaning and some outings. Hairdressing is not included although hair washing and drying is provided under personal care. Newspapers and some outings are also not included. Top up fees are considered.

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Amherst Court to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Hari-Charan Sehmbi (Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 60+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2010

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (112)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (112)

Visiting

  • Residents may have visitors at any time, although it is requested that meal times are avoided if possible as it is aimed to make this a relaxing and positive experience

Parking

  • Parking spaces for visitors and also parking on the road adjacent to the home

Amherst Court Reviews (74)

9.2

Amherst Court has a Review Score of 9.2 (9.181) out of 10, based on 13 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Amherst Court has 74 reviews.

Overall Experience
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  • 11
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Amherst Court
  • 27
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Total of 74, showing 61-74
Review from Helen R (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
We visit every week. Very good.
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Review from Martin H (Son of Resident) published on 1 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care home is the best place we could have put our mum. The care staff are second to nine and the rooms are clean and mum has lots to do.
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Review from D W (Daughter of Resident) published on 19 October 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father has lived here for 3 years. I am confident that he is well cared for and treated with respect and kindness. His condition has deteriorated and his behaviour can be challenging but the staff understand how to manage him and I know that I do not need to worry that he is safe and well cared for.
Reply from Lorraine Eastmead, General Manager at Amherst Court

Thank you so much for your feedback, I will make sure that they staff are aware that they are very much appreciated. They work hard to ensure that our residents live a fulfilled and happy life here at Amherst Court.

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Review from Ann S (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 July 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amherst Court was our mums final resting place, it was her home just as mum would have wanted it, staff passing by and taking time to have a chat, just like chatting over the garden fence, mum was happy.
Amherst Court is a wonderful place the caring shows as soon as you walk in the door, we as a family
could not fault it and are so grateful to all the staff for looking after mum.
Thank you.
Reply from Lorraine Eastmead, General Manager at Amherst Court

Dear Ann
Thank you so much for your review, I will pass your comments on the staff. It is lovely for them to receive feedback like this, as they work so hard to ensure that the residents live a full and happy life at Amherst Court.

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Review from David B (Brother of Resident) published on 23 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care provided to my brother and to my mother previously has been of the highest standard. My brother has been made to feel he still has a lot to offer in this world. And for that alone, I am truly grateful.
You have identified his interests and encouraged him to pursue them. It gives me peace of
mind that he is in such capable hands. Thank you.
Reply from Lorraine Eastmead, General Manager at Amherst Court

We very much appreciate your feedback regarding your brother, and I am especially pleased that we have been able to promote his independence that we all value so much. This has helped him settle in so well. Thank you again for your kind words.

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Review from Christopher B (Son of Resident) published on 23 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From the first day my mother moved to Amherst Court, 29th April 2016, until she passed away 27th May 2017, she received exceptional care and compassion from all of the staff at Amherst Court. We viewed many care homes, but none met the high standards acheived at Amherst Court, as soon as we walked in
we knew my mother would be well cared for.
When my mother became very poorly she received one to one care twenty four hours a day, until she passed away in her own room.
We have nothing but praise for all the staff at Amherst Court.
Reply from Lorraine Eastmead, General Manager at Amherst Court

Thank you so much for your review, I have shared this with all the staff. We strive to deliver excellent care for our residents and it is lovely to receive feedback. Your mother was very much loved and will be sorely missed

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Review from Christine B (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 13 June 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We, as the family of a resident, give praise where praise is due. Our Mum stayed in Amherst Court for the last year of her life. She had dementia, so was confused some days more than others. Our Mum loved all of the staff that cared for her. She was happy and content with her life there.
Mum became
very poorly and needed constant care and attention, which she got in abundance from the wonderful staff. The day and night staff kept us informed by telephone of Mum's wellbeing, so we could visit when urgently needed!
All of the staff, office, carers, team leaders, even the management, were so caring and supportive to us as we saw our Mum deteriorating, getting weaker, and closer to the end of life.
We could not have wished for our Mum to get any better care! Amerhurst Court is wonderful!
We were helped through such a difficult time with Mum, the amazing staff stepped up even more than we could have wished for!
The carers really do care!
Well done Amherst Court! Ten out of ten!
Reply from Sam Potter, Marketing at Amherst Court

Hi Christine,
Thank you ever so much for the kind review. We are happy to know that you praise our services as we strive to provide the best care and environment for everyone at the home.

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Review from Marika B (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
As soon as I entered to view this home, I could tell the atmosphere was friendly. Everyone is very helpful and happy, the place is spotless. Although my mum only came in as respite, she didn't want to leave and can't wait to come back.
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Review from Sandra (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
An excellent care home with first class staff. I would like to recommend that you introduce an employee of the month and that resident's families can nominate someone to receive this award. It could be a carer, a manager, a domestic, a receptionist indeed anyone who has gone over and above their duty.
The award should be a gift voucher to the value of at least £50. The employer of the month's photograph could be displayed in reception for a month until the next winner. Introducing a reward scheme such as this would really motivate the staff, show they are appreciated and raise moral.


I believe that more use can be made of the quiet rooms, they should have 1940's furniture, old photos with soft 1940's music and sometimes a television playing black and white movies This would be great for small groups of people to spend a couple of hours and it is a break from sitting in the lounge doing nothing. At the moment these rooms are underutilised and that is a great shame.

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Review from Jill A (Niece of Resident) published on 3 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Overall I am happy with service/care provided.
My aunt is comfortable, and above all safe.
Staff are usually friendly and helpful.
Reception staff are extremely welcoming.
The general atmosphere is good , the décor etc. is pleasing.
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Review from Matt W (Son of Resident) published on 26 April 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father got moved here after another Avante care home was closed over three years ago. He was very settled here and the staff truly are amazing and care about every person that they care for. My dad lost his seven year fight to dementia recently and I can't recommend this home enough. Special thanks
to the staff who cared for him most regularly towards the end. You truly are amazing people and my family can't thank you enough for what you have done for our dad!
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Review from Sarah M (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 27 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My grandad was adament that he never wanted to go into a home, he suffers with alzhiemers and in the end it was just safer for him to go into a home, on visiing amhurst the staff are so welcoming, friendly and above amazing, it's homely and personal to everyones needs, my grandad is happier than he
has in years and that was after one week staying there, he's been there a month now and looks happy, healthy and talks highly of the staff. They have smoking facilities for him to roam freely, a cafe area for families, in house dog and cat for residents to feel at home. The rooms are cozy well equipt and very clean, each room has the residents photo out front to give them freedom and no worry of where their room is, only visitors have passes to roam freely so residents are safe and secure on their level. I'm very satisfied with his care I'm very happy for him to spend his days here.
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Review from Clive B (Son of Resident) published on 25 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our mum moved in to the care home in April 2014. We have been very pleased with the standard of care, and the responsiveness of the staff. Caring for residents with dementia is a very challenging vocation, which is done very well here, under very good management. The CQC report clearly bears this
out too.
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Review from Alan W (Son of Resident) published on 2 September 2015 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Mum has been in a Avante care home since 2008. In that time care staff have maintained the highest possible standards, assisted by the head office training programmes, but, and this is a big but, management on site has deteriorated at every change, leading to good staff leaving. This is proven by the
fact that 3 years ago no agency staff used, now agency staff on all shifts leading to the deterioration.
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Current Review Score: 9.2 (9.181)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.2 (9.181) out of 10 for Amherst Court is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 13 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 11 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 4.690 for Amherst Court is calculated as follows: ( (122 Excellents x 5) + (21 Goods x 4) + (9 Satisfactorys x 3) + (3 Poors x 2) ) ÷ 155 Ratings = 4.69
  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 4.491 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Amherst Court is based on 11 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 112 registered maximum number of service users is 22.4. 11 Positive Reviews ÷ 22.4 = 0.491
  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: 7 Oct 2020

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Outstanding
  • 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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Meet the Team (1)

Benhilda

Benhilda Shambare

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2024

Belinda is the Home Manager

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