Maiden Castle House

12/14 Gloucester Road, Dorchester DT1 2NJ
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9.8 61 Reviews
  • Maiden Castle House, Dorchester
Maiden Castle House is a welcoming, purpose-built residential and dementia care home in the heart of Dorset's county town. The home's experienced and well-trained team provides compassion care for those who can longer live independently, whether that is someone who is physically frail or those suffering from dementia.

Maiden Castle House has 66 bedrooms split into two wings to ensure a home atmosphere. All rooms feature state-of-the-art ensuite facilities. There are plenty of communal areas including lounges, a quiet room and outside courtyards where residents can relax or socialise as they wish.

All residents can enjoy a wide variety of activities and entertainment in and around the home, plus outings in the Care South minibus to local landmarks and attractions.

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Care Provided by Maiden Castle House

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Younger Adults
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 66 Service Users
  • Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Other Care Provided
  • Own GP if required

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Ashley Smith (Home Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 18+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (66)
    • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (66)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes

Funding & Fees Guide for Maiden Castle House

  • 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 Care from £1,365
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,605
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,490
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact Maiden Castle House to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access

Maiden Castle House Reviews (61)

Total of 61, showing 21-40
9.8

Maiden Castle House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.831) out of 10, based on 20 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Maiden Castle House has 61 reviews.

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Review from E B (Daughter of Resident) published on 2 March 2023
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Great facilities. The design of the lounge adds to a sense of community. The staff are patient, kind and supportive. Feel grateful that my father is in this particular care home.

Reply from Simon Bird, Chief Executive at Maiden Castle House

Thank you so much for leaving Maiden Castle a 5* review. I am delighted to know your father is enjoying life with us. All the best.


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Review from Amanda D (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 September 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum has spent four very happy weeks here and made some good friends, she was sad to say goodbye. The care home I had originally booked let us down at the last minute and I couldn't be more grateful to the staff here for organising Mum's stay so quickly for me. From my first phone call until I came to
bring Mum home, all the staff have been amazing, so patient and kind with nothing being too much trouble. It's a really happy and nurturing place and I will definitely be booking Mum in for respite again (I hope they'll have space!). Thank you all so much.

Reply from Aaron Whitehead, Director of Residential Care at Maiden Castle House

Thank you for your review, I am so pleased with how happy both you and Mum were with Maiden Castle House. We look forward to welcoming Mum back in the future.


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Review from Leah S (Nephew of Resident) published on 17 June 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Not much to say other than from management to the care staff, it is a wonderful service and made my aunt feel like it was home. I will be forever grateful for Maiden Castle. They gave my aunt the best she could have.

Reply from Aaron Whitehead, Director of Residential Care at Maiden Castle House

Thank you for your review, it's fantastic to read that your aunt is feeling at home.
Wishing you all the best.


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Review from Brenda H (Daughter of Resident) published on 13 June 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My sister and I have just lost our lovely mum. Mum was a resident in Maiden Castle House for nearly 6 years. My sister and I cannot recommend this care home enough. Words will not express how we feel. Mum always called Maiden Castle House her home. Which it was. Mum had friends in the home of whom she
was very fond of. Staff have always gone that extra mile to ensure Mum was safe, clean and comfortable in all the time she was a resident. Mum was taken ill a few weeks ago and in that time my sister and I spent many hours of every day with Mum. We saw that absolutely nothing was too much trouble. Her carers made sure she always had clean clothes on. Mum was offered whatever she wanted to eat or drink, be it, soup, jelly or ice cream. What is special to me is that during a night stay we were offered drinks, food, a pop-up bed etc. The staff made sure my sister and I had so much support it was like we were with extended family. At the end Mum was made very cosy and all staff supported us. Thank you.

Reply from Aaron Whitehead, Director of Residential Care at Maiden Castle House

Thank you for taking the time to leave Maiden Castle House a review. I am so sorry to learn of your mothers passing. It really does mean the world to the staff to read such lovely comments like this. Wishing you and your family all the very best for the future.


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Review from J C (Husband of Resident) published on 10 June 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My wife stayed for respite, her needs were very high, however, the team met her needs with the utmost dignity and was really happy with her stay. When she needs another holiday she will be returning to Maiden Castle House. I was most impressed with the management team from viewing the home to pre-admission
and they were amazing on the day of the move even helping me take all her belongings to her room! I am most satisfied.

Reply from Aaron Whitehead, Director of Residential Care at Maiden Castle House

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. I am delighted that your mum has enjoyed her stay with us, we look forward to welcoming her back for her next holiday!


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Review from S H (Daughter of Resident) published on 13 October 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are always made to feel welcome when we visit the home. The staff are fantastic and always attentive to Mum's needs. Mum is happy and enjoys the variety of activities put on. Thank you for looking after her.

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Review from Gav C (Relative of Resident) published on 13 October 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff were very attentive and kind. My grandmother is in great hands. She loves it at Maiden Castle
We were so lucky to find a perfect care home. Ash and team are amazing
10/10 all departments in my opinion

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Review from H P (Friend of Resident) published on 5 October 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 2.0 out of 5

Difficulty arranging visits satisfactory to residents because there is no response to the website request system, one has to check by phone. Residents do not appear to have prior knowledge of visits.
Residents seem to be left to their own devices most of the day. One carer referred to a resident as
'No 31' (her room number) instead of her name.

Reply from Aaron Whitehead, Director of Residential Care at Maiden Castle House

We pride ourselves on our excellent standards of care, communication and social interaction at Maiden Castle House. We are disappointed to read that we have not met your expectations on this occasion. We would be pleased to discuss your specific concerns if you contact the Home Manager directly on 01305 251661 or by email.


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Review from Jayne F (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 July 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My family and I are so happy with the care that the staff at Maiden Castle have given to our dear mum. They are like part of our family, friendly, kind and extremely caring. Since our mum has lived at Maiden Castle we have seen her blossom, she has made wonderful friendships and feels loved and safe.
We will be forever grateful to the staff for making our mum’s last few years the best that they could be. A massive thank you for your dedication and wonderful patience throughout the last few difficult months.

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Review from Terry J (Resident) published on 24 June 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very helpfully keeping me safe throughout lockdown.

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Review from P B (Resident) published on 24 June 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Good, the staff are excellent. Nothing is too much trouble. I am quite content.
I love all the activities, like knit and natter. Food is good.

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Review from E R (Resident) published on 24 June 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I feel cared for. The staff are very helpful and kind. Good food. I feel safe and my family are happy I am being looked after by such lovely staff. There are lots of activities like knit and natter and quizzes, film shows and trips. All the residents are very friendly.

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Review from D A (Resident) published on 24 June 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have lived at Maiden Castle House for four and a half years and have been very happy. Staff are all very kind and helpful. Food is excellent and activities are very good, being knit and natter, film shows, cooking and baking so our time is well taken care of.

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Review from K B (Resident) published on 24 June 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Having to experience personal care in my life for the first time and so far I am very pleased to have chosen Maiden Castle House just over a month ago. I am enjoying the facilities available along with the staff and friendly and helpful carers making me comfortable and aware of choices of meals and
activities which are many and varied daily.

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Review from David R (Son of Resident) published on 22 June 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Following a health issue enquiry regarding our mother, we promptly received a detailed and comprehensive email from the home manager explaining how the issue was being addressed. Even though our family have always had complete confidence in the high standard of care provided by the home manager and
staff, the email provided us with that further reassurance which we needed at the time. Whenever I visit Maiden Castle House, I have always been impressed by the exceptionally high standard of care that the staff provide toward their residents. Always with an eye on the wholistic care of their residents, the staff are consistently compassionate, courteous and cheerful. Thank you for all that you do to maintain this high standard.

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Review from J B (Niece of Resident) published on 7 April 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I have been very impressed with the staff and management. The staff, however exhausted they have been, have always appeared cheerful and helpful. Recently management have kept us fully up to date with changes to visiting, and have worked hard to find ways to do this safely. My only small moan is that
messages do not always get from me to Aunt, but I know staff are busy.

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Review from Bud S (Son of Resident) published on 17 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am writing to record my thanks and huge gratitude to all the staff at Maiden Castle for the amazing dedication and professionalism they have shown over the very difficult and challenging past 12 months. Handing the responsibility for a loved ones care over to other people is a very difficult thing
to do at any time and in the past year, it has been almost unbearable. But the excellent communication and can-do attitude of the folks at Maiden Castle House has been an enormous comfort. Our family are very confident that our dad could not be in better hands.

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Review from Jon P (Son of Resident) published on 17 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Maiden Castle are helpful and friendly. Mum struggled to adjust when she first moved in back in August but after a couple of months the staff have been brilliant and Mum is settled now. They've been great with communication and keeping us up to date with covid guidelines. Well done team,
it's great to know Mum is safe and well looked after.

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Review from Lorna R (Daughter of Resident) published on 17 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All staff at Maiden Castle are outstanding. They are always committed to the quality care given to our mother. They are so supportive to us as, due to covid, we have been very limited on visits to Mum. Communication is excellent and we are always informed of Mum's well being. We cannot recommend enough,
Maiden Castle House care home to everyone. Thank you.

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Review from Leslie B (Daughter of Resident) published on 17 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The care home team are very interested in the care of all the residents and their welfare and make sure that all of them are happy and well and enjoying their daily routine. If you have any questions you need help with then they are there and try and answer.

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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.831)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.831) out of 10 for Maiden Castle House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 20 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 20 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 4.831 for Maiden Castle House is calculated as follows: ( (199 Excellents x 5) + (36 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 237 Ratings = 4.831

  • 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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Maiden Castle House is based on 20 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 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • 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 66 registered maximum number of service users is 13.2, which has been reached with 20 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: 11 Jun 2021

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Requires improvement

  • 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 (7)

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Meet the Team (1)

Ashley

Ashley Smith

Job Title: Home Manager

“Prior to joining Care South, I was a painter and decorator but have now been in the care industry for ten years. I started at Maiden Castle House as a Care Assistant and gradually gained regular promotions to now being appointed as the Home Manager.


There is nothing better than seeing happy residents, and the memories and friendships you make with them. Every day I look forward to the challenges the day may bring, I have worked here for a third of my life so I am particularly passionate about the home continuing to be as successful as possible.


I am a proud dad to my twins, Archie and Myla. I love my free weekends adventuring with them and my partner, Leah. I enjoy running, most sports and spending time with my extended family. I am a positive person who is always looking forward to the future and all the exciting journeys you can embark on.”