South Cary House

South Street, Castle Cary BA7 7ES
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9.8 38 Reviews
  • South Cary House, Castle Cary
South Cary House is a converted Grade II Georgian house, with redevelopment having made the most of its homely qualities to benefit older people with care needs.

The focus is on quality of life at all times, taking pride in a good staff to residents ratio and with an experienced team that specialise in a wide range of needs, including palliative care.

The accommodation is organised to suit a choice of lifestyle, with en-suite rooms, privacy respected, a sun lounge and well-kept gardens.

South Cary House offers a busy programme of Activities which include Pottery, Music therapy, visiting musicians, Ballroom dancing and many more cultural and social events.

South Cary House is part of Avon Care Homes Group.

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Care Provided by South Cary House

  • Type of Service
    • Residential Home
  • Privately Owned
  • For a maximum of 23 Service Users
  • Primary Care Categories
  • Older Person Care
  • Respite Care
  • Other Care Provided
  • Day Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • James Dale (Home Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (23)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: No
    • Last Refurbishment: 2010

Facilities

  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access

South Cary House Reviews (38)

Total of 38, showing 21-38
9.8

South Cary House has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.848) out of 10, based on 19 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time South Cary House has 38 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 33
  • 5
  • 0
  • 0
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Date Published

38
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Review from M R (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 November 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Our very elderly mum was at South Cary for two years, mostly affected by Covid restrictions. We developed a warm relationship with staff; the manager was always positive, welcoming input.
Mum had a ground floor garden-access room near the small sun lounge in the newer part. She was always well dressed,
with attention to hair/earrings. Continuity can be challenging, with many staff/changing rotas. Constantly worn name badges would assist.
Whilst having many advantages, one downside of a small care home is that the number of residents with good cognition can be low; Mum rarely engaged in activities she thought childish and, except at the beginning and the end, did not make friends as we had hoped. Ideally, carers would have had more time to engage individually, especially as Mum became less able. The roaming dogs were welcome. The garden is beautiful, just needing more attention to paths.
There have been a number of welcome changes during Mum’s stay e.g. a new telephone system and access to staff out of hours.
The care and attention given to Mum and to us during Mum's last days were exemplary.

Reply from Sally Walford, Home Manager at South Cary House

Thank you for your kind words, and we appreciate your feedback.
It was a pleasure caring for your mother, and she will be missed; she enjoyed a large selection of the activities we offered and some not so much. Having such a diverse client base within the home, we look closely at the activities and try to make them inclusive of everyone and something everyone will enjoy.


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Review from John T (Son of Resident) published on 1 August 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother moved into South Cary House in February 2015; in July 2022, one month before her 100th birthday, she had to be moved to another care home able to provide the specialist care needed for her worsening dementia. Sad to leave South Cary House, she has over the last seven years been most fulsome
in her praise of the love, kindness, care, and support shown by the staff; nothing has ever been too much trouble. My mother could be quite difficult at times, but I fully endorse her praise and have found the management and staff most helpful, patient and understanding in dealing with various issues that have arisen.
South Cary House is a fine old Georgian house that has been well adapted to the needs of those in care; it exudes a homely familiarity, and I would be very happy to spend my final days there!

Reply from Sally Walford, South Cary House Manager at South Cary House

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with this fantastic review. It was an absolute pleasure knowing mum and having her here at South Cary House; she is missed. We are very pleased that she is settled into the new care setting.


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Review from Roger H (Brother of Resident) published on 5 May 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very helpful management and staff, who always treated my sister with love and respect.
Lovely house and gardens and general atmosphere.
Always gives a clean and fresh impression on entering.
Well-appointed bedrooms and a welcoming lounge.
I would, and will, recommend this care home to anyone, based
on the last twelve months of my sister's life there, which she was able to appreciate until she died.

Reply from Suzanne Gatrell, Regional Manager, Quality, Compliance & LIfestyle at South Cary House

Thank you for your lovely feedback; it was a pleasure looking after your sister and getting to know the rest of the family.
Warm regards.


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Review from Gordon M (Son of Resident) published on 21 April 2022
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum has been at South Cary for over five years, and the care and concerns for her from the staff have been excellent. I have always felt she is being extremely well looked after. When visiting, the staff have always been helpful and friendly. A superb place.

Reply from Helen Doherty, Manager at South Cary House

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. Your mum is part of our extended family, and it is a lot of pleasure looking after your mum.
Kind regards.


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Review from Stephen S (Son of Resident) published on 30 November 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother recently passed away in South Cary House, having lived there for 4-years. At all times, she received friendly, considerate, dignified and appropriate care, especially mindful of Mum's increasing dementia and general frailty. As an extended family, we always felt close to what was happening
with Mum... and enjoyed following the Facebook entries and receiving the weekly social calendar to see what Mum was going to be doing. We were always made to feel very welcome when we visited Mum - and my children loved running around the beautiful gardens whilst we enjoyed a cup of tea with Mum. Mum's special diet was catered for, and staff went out of their way to ensure Mum could attend their in-house classes events (like dancing, singing, shows and films) so that she was kept entertained and active. As Mum's health declined, we became aware of the very loving aspect of the care that was being given - and we could not think of a better place for Mum to have lived out her last years.

Reply from Sally Walford, Home Manager at South Cary House

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review; we are very grateful for your feedback. As a team, we work very hard to provide the highest level of care and provide a fun and caring environment for our residents. We were so fond of your mother, and she will be deeply missed by all of us.


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Review from S W (Daughter of Resident) published on 24 June 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Visiting my parents at South Cary House on a sunny day in the garden, I was able to stay with them while they and some other residents ate a delicious al fresco fish and chip lunch. One resident joked; "all we need now is come seagulls", and within 5-minutes, staff had put a soundscape recording of
seagulls and lapping waves - a lovely response which made a very jolly atmosphere! The pudding was a very high quality - fresh fruit salad with fresh cream or ice cream. After lunch, a carer played with the dogs on the lawn, throwing them sticks and doing some tricks with them, to the amusement of the watching residents. For those like Mum, who has Alzheimer's, watching this held her re-experience the sort of joy she used to get from her own dog years ago, which she can't do now. My parents really enjoyed their lunch, and it was lovely for me to witness the respectful, warm, and cheery interactions of the staff with the residents that make it such a lovely home for my parents to spend their final years.

Reply from Sally Walford, Home Manager at South Cary House

Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We always take great pride in our activities, and it is lovely to hear such positive feedback.


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Review from Jo B (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 June 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

South Cary House has provided an excellent, friendly, home from home environment for the last 8-years. The staff have been unfailingly kind and caring and treated my mother with respect (especially in her last days). The family have always been welcome, and the management has dealt with Covid with fineness
that has ensured that the home has remained Covid-free. I can strongly recommend the home.

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Review from Mary-Anne D (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 June 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother recently died in South Cary House having lived there for 8-years. She was happy and well cared for during her time there and was cared for in a very sensitive and dignified way at the end. The staff were exemplary in their support for us as a family in her last days and respected her wishes
at all times.

Reply from Sally Walford, Home Manager at South Cary House

Thank you for your feedback; Mum is truly missed by the staff and all the other residents; she has a special place in our hearts


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Review from Pauline L (Cousin of Resident) published on 11 January 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Friendly, reliable and dependable.
Lovely culture - atmosphere, staff demeanour and co-operativeness, being patient, respecting resident, going to great lengths to maintain residents dignity, great attention to communications with relatives.
Coping brilliantly in the strange relentlessly challenging
times.
Activities are very good given the limitations of the house.
We have told our sons, this home is where we want to go if we require residential care.

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Review from Sarah T (Daughter of Resident) published on 13 October 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The team at South Cary House provided exceptional care to my mum and our family when we needed it most. Every single individual treated Mum with love, compassion and care, respecting her dignity at all times. We simply cannot express how grateful we are to the entire team, it restores my father in humanity
to see such thoughtfulness and care. I would have no hesitation in recommending South Cary House to anyone who finds themself or a member of their family in need of care. A beautiful home, in a lovely, calm setting, offering care and kindness above any expectation. Thank you.

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Review from S C (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 December 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother was a resident for 2 and a half years and considered it to be her home.
The care home was always ready to listen and gave very attentive support care and nothing was too much trouble.
South Cary House was always spotless with flowers on the tables in the dining room. There was great attention
to the activities which were held in the afternoons. The lovely garden was always a favourite on sunny afternoons. The help and guidance and supportive care to my mother in her final days were outstanding. I thoroughly recommend this home.

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Review from D A (Husband of Resident) published on 27 August 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Management and employees very kind and caring.

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Review from D G (Relative of Resident) published on 20 June 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had a relative in South Cary House for the past 13 years. Firstly my Mother and then my Aunt. My Mother chose South Cary House and was very happy there. She was given the respect she deserved and always with a smile. My Aunt had to be homed as an emergency and there was a beautiful room all ready.
She was confused but safe and happy.

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Review from Roderick W (Son of Resident) published on 16 May 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I cannot speak highly enough of the care and attention given to my mother in her last few weeks.
Good food, kind and attentive staff and a lovely room overlooking the garden.
Previously my aunt, who was a very difficult lady, was also well cared for.

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Review from Paul D (Son of Resident) published on 10 March 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A really caring team led by Sally who looked after my increasingly immobile mother until she passed away recently. A homely and informal atmosphere, with excellent carer's attention to particular needs. Medical support called in when needed, and despite considerable bed care required for my mother latterly,
she didn't suffer from bed sores due to very regular attention, turning etc. Monitoring processes in place so that (in her case) there was good continuity between shifts to ensure fluids and food and feeding were understood.


For the more active residents, a good social circle takes them out from time to time, while in-house entertainment features quite regularly. The dining room food seems well prepared, and most residents meet for lunch together in an intimate dining room. The garden is well cared for and has been improved in the last year, and is large enough to walk around. An older style building with character makes for a very homely feel.


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Review from Ursula I (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 June 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My 97 year old mother initially went for six week respite care in September 2015 and then stayed on as we could not cope with her night wandering and falls. She gradually went downhill and died there April 2016. There were a few hiccups but whenever there were problems over lost glasses/not adjusted
hearing aids etc. The staff were apologetic, open and sorted things out. My mother went through black days when she thought everyone was against her, imagining things but they dealt with this with patience and tact. As she went downhill in the final 10 days they all excelled in their care, nothing was too much trouble. Visitors were made welcome with coffee and biscuits all hours. The garden room was beautiful, sunny, clean with wonderful views. The rooms tended, pretty sheets, her favourite dog visiting her. It was what any daughter would love for their mothers last days.

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Review from S C (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 March 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My mother died on Saturday, she died within 5 hours of my being called and advised to come. The Care lovingness, thoughtfulness was second to none. What could have been a horrendous experience was made as lovely as possible. I could not have wished for anything more to have been done. My mother's wish
was to die at the home ans this was fulfilled. A wonderful place to end your days.

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Review from A P (Nephew of Resident) published on 7 March 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My aunt was recently very ill and we thought approaching death. However she was coaxed by the staff to start drinking, and eventually eating again and has now, amazingly, recoverer.
I want to draw your attention to the outstanding, sympathetic, supportive help my aunt receives from so many of the care
staff during this anxious period.
They so obviously enjoy their responsibilities and carry them out as a caring team.

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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.848)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.848) out of 10 for South Cary 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 19 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 19 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 4.848 for South Cary House is calculated as follows: ( (193 Excellents x 5) + (28 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 224 Ratings = 4.848

  • 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 South Cary House is based on 19 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 23 registered maximum number of service users is 4.6, which has been reached with 19 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: 30 Nov 2017

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Outstanding

  • 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.

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Bed Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

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Meet the Team (1)

James

James Dale

Job Title: Registered Home Manager

James has vast experience as a care home manager. He leads a highly professional team, who are devoted to enhancing the lives of our residents and their families, as they progress through later life.
His aim is to provide compassionate care with fabulous hospitality providing a culture of uncompromising excellence.