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21/29 Dooley Road, Halstead, CO9 1JW
View full details of BlackthornsLatest Reviews for Blackthorns
08 January 2026
My brother became a resident for respite care in October. He was very happy with the care he received. His residency became permanent on 19th November, as he wanted to continue staying at Blackthorns, needing 24 hour care. He has settled into the home very well. Staff attend to all his personal
needs and treat him with respect. I am very impressed by management and staff who are knowledgable, helpful, friendly and caring.
01 December 2025
My father is at Blackthorns having arrived straight from a hospital. He has complex needs and I feel supported and staff take time to listen.
The manager has always been available to talk through concerns when needed.
Staff will give me updates of my fathers day when I see them during my visits.
The home is clean.
Patient's needs appear to be met efficiently.
Staff seem to have experience and have worked at the home for a period of time rather than being agency temporary staff.
My father has rapidly been seen by a GP and paramedics when needed.
The home is calm and usually quiet.
I feel that most staff treat patients with the upmost dignity and respect.
My visits are always unplanned and my father is dressed and clean.
28 August 2025
My visit was unplanned - totally. My sister was sitting comfortably on her bed reading when I arrived. He room was very clean and tidy, furniture appropriate for her needs. She had no problems with the menu. She was aware of daytime activities but I felt she needed a little more encouragement to
take part. She was not aware of any evening activity for residents. I think she would benefit from more social interaction, but she is absolutely benefitting from being in the care home.
21 August 2025
Blackthorns Halstead
The staff are friendly, kind and caring.
The environment is nicely decorated, homely and clean.
The food is good quality.
I feel welcome by staff when I visit.
My mum has been encouraged to attend activities, which she has enjoyed.
I would have liked to have been given
more information about the kitchenette and that me and mum can use it when I visit as I only found this out from another resident after 3 weeks. Perhaps a brochure or more information online would be useful.
I emailed the home and have not received a response after a week, which I find frustrating.
30 July 2025
My Mum, Heather Thompson spent the last week of her life in Blackthorn care home, staff were amazing, my Mum received the best care, Marciala, James,Norbert, and Gabbi were all fantastic and saw to all her needs and were so respectful, James offered numerous coffees through the week, I cannot have
wished my mum to be under any better care home,the district nurse was called without delay to medicate my Mum when she was in pain, the place was kept very clean and all other staff were polite and friendly, all in all my Mum was treated like a queen
01 July 2025
Visited my mother today who was happier than I had seen her in a long time. Staff came to give mum her support and were very pleasant and had a joke with her. The manager made the time to come to talk to me and was fully aware of mum's care plan and treatment. I feel confident Mum is in the right
home.
23 May 2025
My father came to Blackthorns to receive palliative care following a brief spell in hospital. Although it was only a short stay until his end of life the care he received was extremely good. His room was clean and bright. The staff were extremely helpful and spent time with Dad making sure he was
eating and drinking right up to his last hours.
12 May 2025
Blackthorns provided excellent care during our father's stay. The staff were kind, caring and attentive, always professional and looked after dad very well, making sure he was comfortable and accompanied at all times. Thank you to Blackthorns.
12 May 2025
I am pleased with the care my cousin has at Blackthorns. He was very ill recently and after returning from hospital the staff looked after him very well indeed. He is happy there, the staff are friendly, I have got to know some of them very well. He loves the food, plenty of it and nicely presented.
Overall all is very good, it is easy to call or meet the staff and manager to check on him and as he is very pleased with his home then so am I!
09 May 2025
I am very happy with the care my sister is receiving in Blackthorns. The staff treat her well and any concerns I have with her health are quickly delt with. She tells me the food is very nice. She hasn't us yet taken part in any of the activities but says she might in the future. I understand there
are many available.
07 May 2025
I found Blackthorns care home to be of a good standard both in cleanliness and hygiene. The carers are extremely kind to the residents It is nice to have a café where visitors can take their family and or friend to the café and have a quick chat in a nice friendly atmosphere the Hairdresser is very
good as is the Chiropodist I find the care given to the patient/residents to be of a high standard.
30 April 2025
My mother moved into Blackthorns in June 2024 and from the start I was happy with the care she received. The staff are helpful, efficient and genuinely care for the residents. The home manager was always quick to answer any questions that I had or change things to make the transition easier for
mum. Little things like giving mum a key to her room so she could open and close her "front door". I was always kept informed of medication changes and how she had been day to day when I visited her alongside my dad. Sadly mum passed away in February. Many of the staff had been in and sat with her during her last days. I cannot recommend the manager and her team enough for the love and care that they gave to my mum during her time at Blackthorns
28 April 2025
My aunt has been in Blackthorns for a year now. She has settled in and is happy with being there. She is taking part in activities and enjoying the company of staff and residents. We also are happy with the staff and management, always made to feel welcome. If we have any problems they are ready to
listen and help.
24 April 2025
My Mum has been in Blackthorns since late last year.
It's very difficult when a loved one cannot cope at home anymore.
Blackthorns have provided the support that we needed to ensure my Mum is safe and looked after.
The atmosphere is a mixture of friendly, relaxed but at all times with a
professional edge.
The Manager is very approachable and will address issues and is very supportive.
10 March 2025
My father unfortunately broke his left femur back in November.Dad is 90 years old and has always been fit and healthy but after his fall he has become very frail although mentally he still can hold a conversation.Dad was moved to Blackthorns after the hospital discharged him.Although only temporary
it became clear he needed 24 hour care as he lives on his own , so Blackthorns have been a life line.Dad has settled in very well.The management and staff are beyond exceptional and are very supportive to dad and his family and friends.They are always smiling and we are particularly fond of one member of staff, in particular, who is an asset to the team of excellent carers who makes us giggle when she is around.I would recommend Blackthorns to anyone who is looking for a suitable care home.
22 January 2025
I am very satisfied with the way the home is run. All the staff are very helpful and the home is very clean.
10 December 2024
My sister was in very poor health when we moved her from hospital to Blackthorns. She then became more comfortable and for a while, gained strength. Alas, her health began to deteriorate and she refused solid food despite various options being offered. We felt that the care and attention given was
excellent during this time.
10 October 2024
Thank you for the care and compassion shown to my mother-in-law this month whilst she was in your care. You all made her time comfortable and enjoyable and we will be forever grateful.
The support you provided to us, as a family, was fantastic right up to her passing in hospital. Thank you.
04 October 2024
The care my father has received generally, on the whole, has been good. When I have had concerns, I have been able to speak to staff and most are addressed at the time occasionally have had to make repeat requests for information but nothing is perfect. Most staff are approachable and there are a
couple who go above and beyond. Sometimes feel more could be done so more people are included in activities and trips.
03 October 2024
My mother came to stay here for two weeks for short stay. We are very pleased to see my mother happy and well when we came to pick her up, no concerns.
Latest Reviews for Blackthorns
08 January 2026
My brother became a resident for respite care in October. He was very happy with the care he received. His residency became permanent on 19th November, as he wanted to continue staying at Blackthorns, needing 24 hour care. He has settled into the home very well. Staff attend to all his personal
needs and treat him with respect. I am very impressed by management and staff who are knowledgable, helpful, friendly and caring.
01 December 2025
My father is at Blackthorns having arrived straight from a hospital. He has complex needs and I feel supported and staff take time to listen.
The manager has always been available to talk through concerns when needed.
Staff will give me updates of my fathers day when I see them during my visits.
The home is clean.
Patient's needs appear to be met efficiently.
Staff seem to have experience and have worked at the home for a period of time rather than being agency temporary staff.
My father has rapidly been seen by a GP and paramedics when needed.
The home is calm and usually quiet.
I feel that most staff treat patients with the upmost dignity and respect.
My visits are always unplanned and my father is dressed and clean.
28 August 2025
My visit was unplanned - totally. My sister was sitting comfortably on her bed reading when I arrived. He room was very clean and tidy, furniture appropriate for her needs. She had no problems with the menu. She was aware of daytime activities but I felt she needed a little more encouragement to
take part. She was not aware of any evening activity for residents. I think she would benefit from more social interaction, but she is absolutely benefitting from being in the care home.
21 August 2025
Blackthorns Halstead
The staff are friendly, kind and caring.
The environment is nicely decorated, homely and clean.
The food is good quality.
I feel welcome by staff when I visit.
My mum has been encouraged to attend activities, which she has enjoyed.
I would have liked to have been given
more information about the kitchenette and that me and mum can use it when I visit as I only found this out from another resident after 3 weeks. Perhaps a brochure or more information online would be useful.
I emailed the home and have not received a response after a week, which I find frustrating.
30 July 2025
My Mum, Heather Thompson spent the last week of her life in Blackthorn care home, staff were amazing, my Mum received the best care, Marciala, James,Norbert, and Gabbi were all fantastic and saw to all her needs and were so respectful, James offered numerous coffees through the week, I cannot have
wished my mum to be under any better care home,the district nurse was called without delay to medicate my Mum when she was in pain, the place was kept very clean and all other staff were polite and friendly, all in all my Mum was treated like a queen
01 July 2025
Visited my mother today who was happier than I had seen her in a long time. Staff came to give mum her support and were very pleasant and had a joke with her. The manager made the time to come to talk to me and was fully aware of mum's care plan and treatment. I feel confident Mum is in the right
home.
23 May 2025
My father came to Blackthorns to receive palliative care following a brief spell in hospital. Although it was only a short stay until his end of life the care he received was extremely good. His room was clean and bright. The staff were extremely helpful and spent time with Dad making sure he was
eating and drinking right up to his last hours.
12 May 2025
Blackthorns provided excellent care during our father's stay. The staff were kind, caring and attentive, always professional and looked after dad very well, making sure he was comfortable and accompanied at all times. Thank you to Blackthorns.
12 May 2025
I am pleased with the care my cousin has at Blackthorns. He was very ill recently and after returning from hospital the staff looked after him very well indeed. He is happy there, the staff are friendly, I have got to know some of them very well. He loves the food, plenty of it and nicely presented.
Overall all is very good, it is easy to call or meet the staff and manager to check on him and as he is very pleased with his home then so am I!
09 May 2025
I am very happy with the care my sister is receiving in Blackthorns. The staff treat her well and any concerns I have with her health are quickly delt with. She tells me the food is very nice. She hasn't us yet taken part in any of the activities but says she might in the future. I understand there
are many available.
07 May 2025
I found Blackthorns care home to be of a good standard both in cleanliness and hygiene. The carers are extremely kind to the residents It is nice to have a café where visitors can take their family and or friend to the café and have a quick chat in a nice friendly atmosphere the Hairdresser is very
good as is the Chiropodist I find the care given to the patient/residents to be of a high standard.
30 April 2025
My mother moved into Blackthorns in June 2024 and from the start I was happy with the care she received. The staff are helpful, efficient and genuinely care for the residents. The home manager was always quick to answer any questions that I had or change things to make the transition easier for
mum. Little things like giving mum a key to her room so she could open and close her "front door". I was always kept informed of medication changes and how she had been day to day when I visited her alongside my dad. Sadly mum passed away in February. Many of the staff had been in and sat with her during her last days. I cannot recommend the manager and her team enough for the love and care that they gave to my mum during her time at Blackthorns
28 April 2025
My aunt has been in Blackthorns for a year now. She has settled in and is happy with being there. She is taking part in activities and enjoying the company of staff and residents. We also are happy with the staff and management, always made to feel welcome. If we have any problems they are ready to
listen and help.
24 April 2025
My Mum has been in Blackthorns since late last year.
It's very difficult when a loved one cannot cope at home anymore.
Blackthorns have provided the support that we needed to ensure my Mum is safe and looked after.
The atmosphere is a mixture of friendly, relaxed but at all times with a
professional edge.
The Manager is very approachable and will address issues and is very supportive.
10 March 2025
My father unfortunately broke his left femur back in November.Dad is 90 years old and has always been fit and healthy but after his fall he has become very frail although mentally he still can hold a conversation.Dad was moved to Blackthorns after the hospital discharged him.Although only temporary
it became clear he needed 24 hour care as he lives on his own , so Blackthorns have been a life line.Dad has settled in very well.The management and staff are beyond exceptional and are very supportive to dad and his family and friends.They are always smiling and we are particularly fond of one member of staff, in particular, who is an asset to the team of excellent carers who makes us giggle when she is around.I would recommend Blackthorns to anyone who is looking for a suitable care home.
22 January 2025
I am very satisfied with the way the home is run. All the staff are very helpful and the home is very clean.
10 December 2024
My sister was in very poor health when we moved her from hospital to Blackthorns. She then became more comfortable and for a while, gained strength. Alas, her health began to deteriorate and she refused solid food despite various options being offered. We felt that the care and attention given was
excellent during this time.
10 October 2024
Thank you for the care and compassion shown to my mother-in-law this month whilst she was in your care. You all made her time comfortable and enjoyable and we will be forever grateful.
The support you provided to us, as a family, was fantastic right up to her passing in hospital. Thank you.
04 October 2024
The care my father has received generally, on the whole, has been good. When I have had concerns, I have been able to speak to staff and most are addressed at the time occasionally have had to make repeat requests for information but nothing is perfect. Most staff are approachable and there are a
couple who go above and beyond. Sometimes feel more could be done so more people are included in activities and trips.
03 October 2024
My mother came to stay here for two weeks for short stay. We are very pleased to see my mother happy and well when we came to pick her up, no concerns.