The Firs

83 Church Road, Locks Heath, Southampton SO31 6LS
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9.2 12 Reviews
  • The Firs, Southampton
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Care Provided by The Firs

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Learning Disability
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Older Person Care
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 22 Service Users
  • Privately Owned
  • Care Offered
  • AIDS/HIV
  • Alcohol Dependence (past or present)
  • Alzheimer's
  • Anorexia/Bulimia/Self Harming
  • Autism/ASD
  • Cancer Care
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Colitis & Crohn's Disease
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Korsakoff Syndrome
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Schizophrenia
  • Speech Impairment
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • End of Life Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Kerry Colbourne (Registered Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (16)
    • Couples/Companion Rooms (3)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes
    • Last Refurbishment: 2005
    • Number of floors: 2

Funding & Fees Guide for The Firs

  • Funding Types Accepted
  • Self funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top-Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Funding
  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,100
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact The Firs to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Visiting

  • Any time.


  • Parking

  • Ample parking available.


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The Firs Reviews (12)

9.2

The Firs has a Review Score of 9.2 (9.200) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time The Firs has 12 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 9
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Date Published

12
0
5
5
7

Review from P B (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 July 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My Mum has resided at The Firs for a few months and has settled in well. The lovely staff are warm, welcoming with a caring manner and no question is too silly. There is an open-door policy, and it never feels inconvenient when we pop in. It's especially lovely that we can take my little granddaughter
in, she's welcomed by all and there's always a spark in Mum's eyes when she sees her.
Mum transferred directly from hospital care to The Firs and although her dementia is worsening, we have seen an improvement in her wellbeing, she is eating regularly and being looked after extremely well. She enjoys the food and comments on how delicious it is, particularly the puddings. Mum takes part in various activities and is socialising every day, rather than staying in her room, which is wonderful.
The Firs is a small care home with good facilities, a family-friendly atmosphere providing efficient, effective and personalised care. Our family are very happy The Firs is a 'good fit' for Mum.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for the lovely comments, I will feed these back to the team.


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Review from S M (Sister of Resident) published on 16 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I have found the care provided for my brother to be generally good. During the occasional visit, I have noted that he was unshaven. This, of course, could be a result of his behaviour/attitude. He seems to be very keen on puddings and not too keen on savoury. It would be helpful if the staff could encourage/support
him in losing a few pounds. I think it would be beneficial for him to get outside more, even if it was just to the garden. A day trip would be even better.
Despite being very busy, the staff make an effort to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere during visits. A couple of extra staff would be helpful in increasing the conviviality even further. He recently suffered a fall on the care home drive, not a fault of the staff, indeed they should be commended for promptly calling the emergency services and myself and endeavouring to care for him as best they could in the circumstances.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback with us. I would appreciate it if you could spare some time to discuss your comments with me further to enable us to make sure we are providing the best care and service. Thank you.


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Review from F H (Daughter of Resident) published on 12 July 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum has been in their care since March 2022 and has been comfortable, warm and entertained. All her needs are catered for and to my surprise, she doesn't stay in her room but sits in the various spaces in their communal area. I think this shows how much thought is put into each resident and their
specific requirements.
I live close by and visit regularly unannounced and have always had a friendly welcome.

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Review from A L (Daughter of Resident) published on 24 June 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father moved into The Firs approximately 8 weeks ago. We are amazed by the change in him, he is eating well and tells us the meals are lovely. He has gained a little weight and has his colour back and has told us the staff treat him like a King. Our opinion of The Firs so far is positive and we are
happy that he has settled so easily thanks to the staff and management.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for the lovely compliments, I will feed this back to the team.


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Review from Pauline P (Wife of Resident) published on 7 May 2024
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The Firs treat my husband like one of the family. Nothing is too much trouble and I feel so much better knowing that he is being looked after so well. I'm so glad I chose The Firs.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for the lovely review Pauline, I will pass your comments on to the team.


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Review from E J (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 January 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I attended the Christmas pantomime held for residents, family and friends. The staff were welcoming and communal areas were decorated, offering a homely festive ambience. The chef provided an ample and varied buffet, excellent. The residents participated in the panto responses, seeming to enjoy the
experience. Staff were attentive and engaged well with residents. As a family, we are happy with the home The Firs have provided her.

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Review from Michael M (Brother-in-law of Resident) published on 27 December 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My brother-in-law has been a resident since August 2022. He has settled in well with the help of the caring and helpful staff. We attended the Christmas party today and it was heartening to see the effort the staff had gone to. They made the day fun and really enjoyable for all the residents. The food
was excellent and bountiful. It is clearly evident that the staff are hardworking and caring. They know all the residents as individuals and treat them accordingly. The Firs has a warm, welcoming and caring atmosphere.

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Review from John W (Son of Resident) published on 15 December 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Dad has been at The Firs since 3rd February 2022. He has settled in well. I am able to visit any day and take him out of the home. Since he has been staying at The Firs he manages to continue his routines very well. All the staff have an excellent attitude and he is in a very happy place.

Reply from Kerry Colbourne, Manager at The Firs

Thank you for taking the time to complete a review of the home and your lovely comments, I will pass these on to the team.


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Review from Sarah J (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 1 July 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff are always friendly and helpful. we are kept well informed on any changes with Mum. Mum is well looked after.

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Review from Robert F (Son of Resident) published on 26 June 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Cannot fault the care my dad has received from the excellent team who are friendly and accommodating to visitors. As you can see from the categories, we are very impressed.

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Review from B L (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

It is always such a difficult decision for anyone to have to make to put a relative in a care home. Between myself and Social Services, that decision had to be made on behalf of my mum. Unfortunately, she has dementia and for her own safety and wellbeing, moved into The Firs last August. From my first
visit being shown around by a member of the staff, I knew The Firs would be the best place for her and that if she was in the right state of mind, she would have chosen for herself. I cannot fault the staff, the whole team are extremely helpful, caring and compassionate. This is definitely not a job that I would be able to do! I do feel reassured knowing that my mum receives the care and attention that she needs and deserves.

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Review from Ian L (Son of Resident) published on 5 March 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My dad lived at The Firs for two and a half years. During that time he received excellent care from the hard-working staff there. More than that, the staff went out of their way to accommodate my mum who visited him and were always friendly and considerate. During the pandemic, the staff and the owner
were fantastic. All families were kept up to date via zoom meetings and there was not a single case or death at the home due to Covid. We were able to ‘see’ Dad via video calls and they kept the residents safe, well looked after and opened up visiting just as soon as they were able. The well-being of the residents has always appeared to be their top concern and I cannot recommend this home highly enough. A heartfelt thank you from myself and on behalf of my parents.

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Current Review Score: 9.2 (9.200)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.2 (9.200) out of 10 for The Firs is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 5 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 5 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.700 for The Firs is calculated as follows: ( (47 Excellents x 5) + (8 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 60 Ratings = 4.7

  • b) 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 4.5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Firs is based on 5 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 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 = 3.5

    • ii) 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 22 registered maximum number of service users is 4.4, which has been reached with 5 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 7 Jul 2022

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Good

  • 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

Awards / Recognitions (0)

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Frequently Asked Questions about The Firs

What types of Care is The Firs registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Respite Care, Learning Disability, Mental Health Condition & Sensory Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

What additional types of Care does The Firs provide?

Palliative Care, Own GP if required & End of Life Care are other types of care provided.

How many Rooms does The Firs have?

There are 16 Single Rooms and 3 Couples/Companion Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at The Firs?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is The Firs to the centre of Southampton?

6.8 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.