Northwood House

114 Sinclair Street, Helensburgh G84 9QF
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9.6 54 Reviews
  • Northwood House, Helensburgh
Northwood House is a beautiful Victorian mansion house providing spacious, comfortable accommodation. The home sits in upper Helensburgh and enjoys superb views of the Clyde estuary and the mountains beyond. The small number of residents allows a cosy, intimate ambience.

Extended and upgraded in 2014, all bedrooms enjoy full private facilities as well as open outlooks. The traditional Victorian features, including original fireplaces and cornicing, combine well with the modern facilities to make this a home that everyone can enjoy.

Care Provided by Northwood House

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 20 Service Users
  • Privately Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Annette Gillies (Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (20)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: No
    • Last Refurbishment: 2014
    • Number of floors: 2

Funding & Fees Guide for Northwood House

  • Funding Types Accepted
  • Self funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top-Up
  • Local Authority
  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • Self-Funded Residential Care £1,215 – £1,450
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,215 – £1,450
    • Self-Funded Nursing Care £1,215 – £1,450
    • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care £1,215 – £1,450
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care £1,215 – £1,450
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care £1,215 – £1,450
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care £1,215 – £1,450
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care £1,215 – £1,449
  • Room rates are dependent on room within care home, not on level of care required. Whilst we accept residential/nursing self-funding residents we only accept nursing, not residential, Local authority funded residents.


  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact Northwood House to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Visiting
  • Visiting is open, avoiding mealtimes unless arranged with the home. Viewing is by arrangement but usually can be flexible to suit those wishing to view and in a timely fashion.


  • Parking
  • Small car park with one disabled bay for 6-7 cars


Total of 54, showing 21-40
9.6

Northwood House has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.638) out of 10, based on 7 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Northwood House has 54 reviews.

Overall Experience

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Northwood House is a well-run establishment, the staff are excellent, friendly, caring and engaging. The atmosphere is relaxed and open which makes it feel more like a home. The residents are treated with respect and encouraged to express their own views.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother has been a resident at Northwood House for a number of years. I am happy with the quality of care that she receives there. Members of staff appear to have a genuine affection for her and from the way she responds to them, it is clear that she is very fond of her carers too.


I am always

made to feel welcome whenever I visit my mother and members of staff are good at keeping myself and my sister up to date with things, like what she had been doing and how she is eating. For example, recently one of the carers went out of her way to describe to me how much my mother had enjoyed getting her hair washed and styled, which was lovely to hear. It is comforting to know that members of staff there are keen to give my mother positive experiences.


The management of the home is excellent and any issues I’ve had over the years have been dealt with quickly and efficiently by the manager. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this home.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The overall standard is good for a small care home. Areas that could be improved are a greater choice of food and some more activities to engage residents. Staff are always friendly and helpful.

Reply from Annette Gillies, Manager at Northwood House

There is a variety of menu choices, often not advertised on the main menu, tailored to the individual's tastes. Sunday is a relaxed day, with no structured activities at the residents' request, due to the high level of visitors throughout the day. However, we take on board the comments made and will discuss menus/activities at the upcoming residents meeting. It is always good to get feedback to enable us to improve our service.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Every day I give thanks that my mother was able to get a place in this delightful care home. The staff and management are outstanding. They are caring and kind, taking time, in what must be a hectic day, to be patient and understanding to my mother who has communication issues and takes that bit longer
to make herself understood. My mother is clearly very happy in this care home and thriving.


When you enter the building, through the secure entry system, you are immediately greeted by a happy atmosphere. The staff seem happy in their work, there is laughter and an upbeat feel, there is a bustle of activity. Cleanliness is excellent and there is always something organised for residents which is on the go. This is a small intimate home, with a home from home feel. I would not hesitate to recommend this care home as being outstanding and a gem of a find.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Mother been in home over 2 years and in that time have found the staff and atmosphere very welcoming, friendly and clean.
They try to vary the entertainment and whilst my mother doesn't get involved much, the home tries their best to involve as many residents as possible.
The freshly made meals are
varied and seem to suit residents.


The rooms are suitable and kept clean and tidy.


No problem in recommending the home.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From the very first day felt welcomed by the staff.
Every one of them cannot do enough for residents and families alike, could not get better care anywhere for my Mum.
Nothing is too much trouble.
Thanks to the great staff.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

In our experience, we found all staff at Northwood House to be very friendly, helpful and supplied excellent care and attention to my Aunt during her stay there.


When my Aunt was being awkward, the staff were extremely patient and caring and when she became unwell the standard of nursing care could

not have been better.


We live some distance from Helensburgh, therefore it was important to us that the Staff at Northwood House were always very helpful in supplying information when we phoned. Never made us feel that we were being a nuisance.


Thanks to all at Northwood House.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very happy with the care that my father receives. A very well managed care home with staff who genuinely care for the residents.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our family member has been a resident in Northwood House for a year. Initially, he was unsettled but due to the care and support he received, he has now settled into a very caring home. The manager is always available to talk to, she is extremely caring and continues to promote high standards of care
and support to the residents.
Nursing and care staff provide a safe and caring environment, ensuring high standards are maintained. Being a small care home, it is extremely homely and this ensures the staff know all the residents well.
Regular activities, with an ongoing programme, helps the residents to keep active and stimulated.
The home has a very cheerful team which includes the kitchen staff, who provide tasty, homemade meals which are adapted to the resident's requirements.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My Mum has been at Northwood for just over 2 1/2 years and the staff at Northwood has consistently provided kind, gentle and expert care at each stage of her illness. The care is truly person centred and everything that can be done is done to support her and provide a good quality of life.
I live
outside the UK and am grateful every day for the staff of Northwood House. I visit as often as I can and see the incredible attention and care provided to my mum and to all the other residents, this extends throughout the staff, management, nurses, carers, cooks and housekeeping.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A very homely place with very caring, committed and professional staff.
A high quality of care delivered consistently in a compassionate way.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother was a resident in Northwood House for the last three weeks of her life. Mum was treated with respect and dignity and as a family, we were kept informed and advised with compassion by the staff. The house was clean and comfortable and staff always friendly and welcoming.
Mum's last day was
managed discreetly by the staff on duty and we were given privacy to say goodbye along with support available for us as a family. I cannot recommend Northwood House enough. It is a comfortable, caring environment for both residents and their families. Thank you so much to all the staff for their care of Mum and support we were given.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Northwood is a very caring, homely environment with lovely staff, many of whom live locally and have been there for some time. They have made the adjustment to nursing care for our frail and anxious mother as easy as possible. We looked at a number of nursing homes but kept coming back to Northwood
as the one which suited our mother's needs best. We feel she is very well looked after by staff who are trained and skilled with elderly residents.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Mum was a resident for about 18 months. She had poor eyesight and limited mobility. The care home staff always tried to make sure that she joined in as many activities as she was able and wanted to. Northwood House is a progressive home with many activities for those who are mobile and those who are
not.


Although it is a nursing home, Northwood felt like a country house and was more a 'family' setting. It is set in lovely grounds near Helensburgh Upper Station, when the weather is nice the residents are encouraged to go into the garden, indeed some help with 'limited gardening', there are many bird feeders too. Those who are able, are taken 'downtown' when this can be arranged. Families are encouraged to take relatives out if they wish or join them in the house. I was quite happy to know that Mum was warm and safe if there were any problems they would be seen to straight away. Mum particularly enjoyed listening to the music, but for those who like it, there is a huge TV in the sitting room!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I find the staff very friendly and competent. Everything is clean and fresh.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father has stayed at Northwood for over 5 years and have never had to complain about anything. Staff are very good and understanding with the residents. Lovely buildings and gardens.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It has been a very difficult time as a wife realising I can no longer look after my husband of 32 years and his medical needs. He has now been here 3 months and it is amazing how well he has settled and how well the home has looked after him and most importantly helped me deal with this and be so kind
and accommodating to me and my family. They make us feel part of a "big family" and I am very grateful.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent home and great staff. Happy all the time we come to see our aunty.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Northwood House is a joy to visit with a beautiful relaxing garden and comfortable rooms. It is so reassuring for both my family and all the family that immediate attention is always at hand, given so willingly and cheerfully. The facilities are perfect, fresh and the surprise activities and outings
are very much appreciated. Guests/residents are considered individually and their preferences and interests are catered for to a high degree. Staff liaison is welcoming, very friendly and informative, allowing privacy or socialising when appropriate. Care here is lovingly planned. Our entire family would highly recommend Northwood House as excellent.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother has been a resident here for over a year now and seems very content. She is well looked after and the food is lovely. We are very happy with the facilities and trust all the staff to look after her needs well.

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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.638)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.638) out of 10 for Northwood House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 7 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.7 out of 5 from 7 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 4.938 for Northwood House is calculated as follows: ( (76 Excellents x 5) + (5 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 81 Ratings = 4.938

  • 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 4.7 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Northwood House is based on 7 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 = 3.7

    • 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 20 registered maximum number of service users is 4, which has been reached with 7 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 Inspectorate (CI) Rating

Date: 25 Nov 2024

How well do we support people's wellbeing? Adequate

(3)

How good is our leadership? Good

(4)

How good is our staff team? Very good

(5)

How good is our setting? Good

(4)

How well is care and support planned? Good

(4)

Care Inspectorate is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in Scotland.

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (2)

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Meet the Team (27)

Annette

Annette Gillies

Job Title: Manager

Joined: 2012

The registered manager of Northwood House since April 2016 but previously worked as a registered nurse at Northwood since 2014. Been in employment with Northwood since 2012. Registered nurse degree and Leadership and Management qualification.


Dawn

Dawn Sanderson

Job Title: Registered Nurse

Joined: 2020

Dawn is a part-time registered nurse who joined our team in 2020. Registered nurse degree. She is one of our Infection Control champions.


Frances

Frances Byers

Job Title: Registered Nurse

Joined: 2011

Frances has worked at Northwood since 2011 as a registered nurse. She works part-time at Northwood. Has a registered nurse degree.


Becky

Becky Leaper

Job Title: Registered Nurse

Joined: 2020

Becky joined our team as a part-time nurse in 2020. Has a registered nurse degree.


Martha

Martha Ngosa

Job Title: Nurse

Joined: 2021

Martha joined our team as a full-time nurse in 2021.


Registered nurse degree with registered manager qualification.


Trudy

Trudy Hawkins

Job Title: Nurse

Joined: 2021

Trudy joined our team as a part-time nurse in 2021.


Registered nurse degree.


Chloe

Chloe Hislop

Job Title: Senior Carer

Joined: 2016

Senior care worker, who currently is finishing her 2nd year as a student nurse. Chloe has an SVQ3 qualification in Health & Social Care.


Sarah

Sarah Rattray

Job Title: Senior Carer

Joined: 2016

Senior care worker, who also covers cooking and housekeeping when needed-jack of all trades! Sarah is also finishing her 3rd year as an occupational therapist student. She has an SVQ3 qualification in Health & Social Care.


Kathy

Kathy Machon

Job Title: Senior Carer

Joined: 2017

Senior care worker who joined our team in 2017. She has an SVQ3 qualification in Health & Social Care.


Lucian

Lucian Bullas

Job Title: Cook

Joined: 2018

Lucian joined our housekeeping team in 2018 and we quickly learned his skills lay in the kitchen so is now one of our part-time cooks. Completed his Hospitality services SCQF level 5 qualification in 2019.


Mia

Mia Blakey

Job Title: Activities Coordinator/Carer

Joined: 2021

Mia joined our team during Covid in 2021 to help keep our residents active in the evening and reduce falls. She was a hairdressing apprentice at that time and quickly realised she wanted to move over to care. She is now our main activities coordinator and also a care worker. She also makes sure the residents are looking their best with their weekly hair salon experience. Mia is currently waiting on a place to start her SVQ3 due to the delay in assessors from the pandemic.


Mary

Mary Morton

Job Title: Cook/Housekeeping

Joined: 2010

Mary has been with us since 2010 as a cook, branching into housekeeping duties during the pandemic and sometimes still helping out with the odd shift when needed. She is one of the twin cooks we have working for us. She has a Scotvec in basic catering and professional cooking and an HNC in hospitality operations, plus years of experience.


Heather

Heather Johnston

Job Title: Cook/Housekeeping

Joined: 2014

Heather joined our team in 2014 as a relief cook and full-time housekeeper. Her duties mainly consist of cooking with some housekeeping shifts when required. She has followed in her twin sister Mary's footsteps by moving into the kitchen full-time. She has a City & Guilds in hospitality.


Heather

Heather Corbett

Job Title: Senior Carer

Joined: 2013

Heather has worked as a senior care worker at Northwood since 2013. She is currently nearly finished her first year as a student nurse through the Open University program. This allows her to continue working during term time at Northwood but be supported financially by the program when on placement. She is our first care worker to take advantage of this new opportunity to train to be a nurse. She has an SVQ3 qualification in Health & Social Care.


Fiona

Fiona McKenzie

Job Title: Carer

Joined: 2015

Fiona has worked at Northwood since 2015, she came to us as a full-time housekeeper but quickly showed an interest in care work. Her main role has been as a care worker for several years now. She has an SVQ3 qualification in Health & Social Care. Fiona also helps out with housekeeping shifts when required and has done some activity co-ordinator shifts where she brings her craft talents to the fore.


KellyAnn

KellyAnn McNamee

Job Title: Carer

Joined: 2020

KellyAnn joined us at Northwood in 2020 as a care worker.


She has nearly completed her SVQ3 qualification in health and social care. There was a period of delay due to the pandemic when assessments were put on hold.


Alicia

Alicia Burgher

Job Title: Carer

Joined: 2020

Alicia joined us at Northwood House in 2020. Originally working nightshift she now works dayshift as a care worker. She also is dual-trained as an activities co-ordinator. Alicia has an SVQ2 qualification in health and social care.


LynnAnn

LynnAnn Cordner

Job Title: carer

Joined: 2022

LynnAnn joined our team in 2022. She is one of our Infection Control champions. She is currently working as a care worker but looking towards starting her adult nursing next year through the Open University.


Louise

Louise Mullender

Job Title: Senior carer

Joined: 2019

Louise has been with Northwood since 2019. However, she previously worked at Northwood from 2011-2017. She took a break when having her last child. She is a senior care worker on the night shift and has an SVQ3 qualification in health & social care.


Helen

Helen Caulfield

Job Title: Carer

Joined: 1998

Helen is the longest-serving member of Northwood House staff, awarded her 25 years service certificate this year. She currently works as a care worker on the night shift. She has an SVQ3 qualification in Health & Social Care.


Kasheay

Kasheay Burgher

Job Title: Senior carer

Joined: 2018

Kasheay has worked for Northwood since 2018 as a care worker and has in the last year been promoted to a senior care worker role. She works as a night shift senior care worker. She has an SVQ3 qualification in Health & Social Care.


Sharon

Sharon Donnachie

Job Title: Carer

Joined: 2023

Sharon has joined our team at Northwood this year as a part-time care worker on the night shift. She is keen to start her SVQ qualification and is on the waiting list just now.


Fiona

Fiona Murphy

Job Title: Senior carer

Joined: 2015

Fiona has been part of the team at Northwood House since 2015. She is a senior care worker and has an SVQ3 qualification in health and social care. She also has an Irish equivalent of the same qualification.


Sharna

Sharna Graham

Job Title: Senior carer

Joined: 2020

Sharna joined Northwood in 2020 as a care worker and has progressed to a senior care worker. She is currently studying to become an adult nurse and is near the end of her 2nd year.


Shirley

Shirley Scott

Job Title: Senior carer

Joined: 2009

Shirley has worked at Northwood as a senior nightshift care worker since 2009. She has an SVQ3 qualification in health and social care and completed her professional development award.


Mary

Mary Somerville

Job Title: Cook

Joined: 2017

Mary works part-time as a relief cook for Northwood and has been with us since 2017. She has no formal cooking qualifications but has run her own restaurant in Helensburgh and works full-time for a local sheltered housing association.


Ernest

Ernest Ngosa

Job Title: carer

Joined: 2022

Ernest joined our team at Northwood in 2022 as a nightshift care worker. He is currently waiting for an assessor to start his SVQ3 in Health and Social Care.