Testimonials

Dear Sir,

I am writing on behalf of my wife and myself to express our appreciation for the care given to my father-in-law during the last days of his life at Riverlea Care Home. When it became apparent following his fall over Christmas that he would have restricted mobility both we and Dad were delighted to find that special provisions were made at Riverlea so that he could return to his adopted home. After taking a sudden turn for the worse a couple of weeks ago we were again very relieved to learn that he could continue to stay in Riverlea and not have to go into Hospital once more.

Over the next two weeks we visited Dad daily and received nothing but kindness and consideration from your managers, carers and other staff who went out of their way to think of everything that could be done to make his final days as comfortable as possible. We came to realise how difficult it can be to obtain medical care around the clock but your senior staff in particular exhibited a real 'can do' attitude to obtaining the best for Dad at any time of day or night.

At a more personal level, we were made to feel very welcome during the period of his final illness and were able to stay with Dad throughout the day and much appreciated the refreshments that were always on offer. Overnight we relied upon your staff to look after Dad and were very pleased at how much personal attention and thoughtful care he received at such times. Following the passing of my father-in-law his death was treated with tact and discretion and we have been very touched by the number of staff who have expressed a wish to remember Dad by attending his cremation.

Of course we have spoken in person to the staff at Riverlea to thank them for their kindness but we felt it important to bring their achievements to the attention of the company management.

Dear Sir or Madam,

My mother was a resident at Hilcote Hall from October 2013 until she sadly died there is March. I wanted to write to you to draw attention to the excellent care that my mother received throughout her stay at Hilcote and to the wonderful staff that you employ there. My wife and I have already thanked the Hilcote staff personally but think their work deserves to be noted more widely.

I first used the services at Hilcote almost by chance after searching for respite accommodation for my father at short notice. My father later became a resident and he was followed in due course by my mother. I knew very little about the home initially but I am now so thankful that we found it. Not only has my mother's care been exemplary but the staff have also taken a personal interest in her health and well-being: they have treated her with the kind of attention and affection that might be expected of a family member. It was very touching that several members of the staff even took the trouble to attend her funeral.

My wife and I were both local councillors for many years and have a great deal of experience of visiting and inspecting homes but we have never come across such high quality care. Hilcote Hall is certainly not the smallest home in this area nor the best equipped but its care could not be bettered. It is also noticeable that the same positive attitude towards care extends from the senior staff down to the youngest and most inexperienced. Having seen the home at work over many months and at all times of the day and night it is clear that Manager Michelle Burton leads from the front and has built up a great team.

I am aware that in some larger organisations it is difficult for the most senior staff at heaquarters to keep in touch with the details of local services. That is why I wanted you to know what a great asset your company has at Hilcote. The staff there helped us through a traumatic and difficult time and we shall always be grateful to them. If all Care Home achieved the same high standard as Hilcote, society would be the better for it.

Yours sincerely,

J Wakefield

STATEMENT OF FACT

DATED 22 FEBRUARY 2016

LAWRENCE RYAN

On behalf of Lawrence, we his family wish to make the following points regarding the welfare and future of Lawrence.

Lawrence moved into Briery Lodge on the 17th December after living and being taken care of by his parents.  Due to deterioration in Lawrence’s medical condition, we his family plus the medical team responsible for his welfare made the decision that Lawrence needed to be placed in an environment that suited and dealt with his ongoing medical condition.

After little or no help from our local authority (but now suddenly feel they know what is best), we as a family located a place at Briery Lodge that we all felt was the correct environment for Lawrence to be moved too.  After a battle of over three months we finally got our local authority to agree to the placement, during which time Lawrence’s medical condition was deteriorating and having to be controlled by medication which was having an impact on his quality of life.

Due to the severity of Lawrence’s autism and lack of social and welfare skills we felt it was very important that the right environment was found for Lawrence and after taking care of him for the last 50 years we feel we know what was going to be best to ensure his quality of life.

Briery Lodge has transformed his life, he now has a purpose and quality of life that has transformed his personality.  The environment they offer of 24 hour care and interaction enables Lawrence to be himself in an environment he is comfortable with.  He is confident with the support he is being offered and the people caring for him, which is a massive plus for Lawrence, as in the past he has always found it very hard to interact or accept other people.  Lawrence has minimal social skills at present, as he does not talk but the staff, residents and Lawrence himself have found a common ground which works and every day Lawrence’s confidence is growing.

Lawrence cannot take care of his own welfare, he will always needs guidance, he cannot take control of any of the following, money matters, knowing what clothing to buy, needs guidance on how to dress, needs assistance with toilet hygiene, personal hygiene, meals.

The facility that Briery Lodge offers covers all the areas that Lawrence requires to have any quality of life, the vast improvement over the past 10 weeks has been incredible and this is down to the facility and the staff, any movement now would have a detrimental impact on Lawrence both mentally and physically.

As his family, and also his medical team are in full agreement we feel that we are the people who know what Lawrence requires and if he was to be moved now then the responsibility and deterioration of Lawrence’s well-being would be down to a committee of strangers who have never meet Lawrence or spoken to any of his medical team.

Signed:  Barry Thomas Ryan (Father)

For and on behalf of Lawrence’s family

Dated 22 February 2016

Dear Meryl

My sincere thanks to you and your staff for your Retirement Card.

It has been a privilege and a joy to play a part in the life of Oak Farm for nearly ten years, and to have made friends with many of your Clients.

All being well I will be present at the Communion Service on May 18 which the Rev Susan Carne will lead.

The patience, love and care of each staff member gives value and hope to Clients. It is the visible sign of God's transforming Spirit at work in you and through you. Such care can be demanding and frustrating, but is the life blood of God's Kingdom. His will being 'done on earth as in heaven.'
It is precious in his sight and in the daily life of your Clients and beyond.

I will continue to pray for you all at Oak Farm and Court, and that Susan Carne will quickly become a trusted friend among you.

Mike Lamb

Trinity Church (serving Drayton and Taverham)
 

During the last three years Peggie was with you, the staff and you provided her with a level of attention, care and kindness which gave us all great comfort that the time she had, was as comfortable as circumstances would allow.

For this, all that you and everyone at Kent house has done, we thank you sincerely. Thank you also for Monday which provided a fitting closing celebration of her 100 year achievement in which you played no small part.

Our visits to Kent House will be missed not least for the warm welcome we received. Broadstairs has many memories for us all and future visits will be difficult but hopefully we will be able to drop-in. 

In the meantime thank you all again and should anyone require any assurances about Kent House please to not hesitate to give them my details.