The Orchards

Orchard Lane, Crewkerne TA18 7AF
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9.8 62 Reviews
  • The Orchards, Crewkerne
The Orchards Nursing Home is a modern purpose-built care home located in the centre of Crewkerne.

The Orchards forms part of Amica Care Trust, a not-for-profit organisation which strives to provide exceptional care and support to people and their families.

The home has 45 bedrooms and provides round-the-clock nursing care. All rooms are ensuite and have telephone and television points. The spacious and airy bedrooms can be personalised with the residents’ own furniture to create a home-from-home environment. Within the home, there are comfortable lounge areas and a light dining room. The outside areas offer large secure gardens, ideal for an outdoor stroll.

Regular organised activities and outings are available to residents. The activities team particularly enjoy celebrating special days, where family and friends are welcome to attend. The town centre is just a short distance away with a variety of shops and restaurants.

The Orchards also offers a day care and respite care services. Call now or directly send a message to the home team to book your visit.

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Care Provided by The Orchards

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 45 Service Users
  • Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Dementia Care Types
  • What are the different dementia care types?
  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia
  • This is a home that cares for residents with different stages of dementia. They have a separate unit for residents with verbally or physically aggressive behaviours.
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Cancer Care
  • Challenging Behaviour/Psychosis
  • Colitis & Crohn's Disease
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Huntington's Disease
  • Korsakoff Syndrome
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Neuropathic
  • Orthopaedic
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Speech Impairment
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • Day Care
  • End of Life Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care
  • Separate Specialist Dementia Care Unit

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Ruth O'Dea (Home Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Self funded customers, Local Authority referrals and NHS referrals
    • Ages 50+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (45)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes
    • Last Refurbishment: 2022

Funding & Fees Guide for The Orchards

  • Funding Types Accepted
  • Self funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top-Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Funding
  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • Self-Funded Nursing Care £1,350 – £1,950
    • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care £1,350 – £1,960

  • Care packages are individually assessed and costed according to each person's needs. This is reviewed on a monthly basis and the care package adjusted according to changes in needs.
    Fees do not include hairdressing, chiropody, newspapers etc.
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact The Orchards 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
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Visiting

  • The home welcomes visitors throughout the day at times that suit the resident, and also encourage visitors to dine with loved ones at a small charge for the meal.
    The home prefer that visitors do not stay late into the evening or night unless loved ones are unwell and need comfort and support


  • Parking

  • There are allocated parking spaces around the back of the home and disabled parking spaces outside the entrance to the home


The Orchards Reviews (62)

Total of 62, showing 41-60
9.8

The Orchards has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.794) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time The Orchards has 62 reviews.

Overall Experience

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  • 16
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Date Published

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Review from Diane E (Friend of Resident) published on 20 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff here are amazing and have made what was quite a sad time for my friend, into a happy one. She is kept busy with lots of activities and especially enjoys her visits to the garden. I am thankful she is so looked after.

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Review from Terry F (Nephew of Resident) published on 10 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We had to move my aunt from a care home because she was very unhappy so we were nervous about finding a new home, she moved into The Orchards in January 2020 and has gone from strength to strength. She is a naturally friendly, chatty lady and it has been lovely to see her settle in and make friends,
her visitors think she hasn’t been looking as well for a long time.

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Review from R C (Wife of Resident) published on 9 July 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

We have always found the management and staff friendly and if any problems arose they are always helpful.

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Review from L D (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 7 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The first time I visited my Nan in The Orchards it felt like a rabbit warren, trying to remember where her room was! However, the premises did not feel gloomy or rundown in any way. The staff are always smiling and the place is cheerful! There are so many activities my Nan could do despite lockdown,
and it has been great to see her getting involved. Nan loves her food and has always praised the meals!

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Review from Sophie R (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 6 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very friendly place, support is there for the family and my nan when needed, my nan didn't want to go into a nursing home but she's always felt welcome and felt that it's her home which made it so much easier for her when she moved in. Carers do an amazing job no matter how hard it can be.

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Review from K T (Son of Resident) published on 2 July 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

On the whole, my mum enjoys her stay at The Orchards. Her main concern is the lack of food choice, (she loves fish). Mum said all the staff are helpful and cheerful. As mum is self-funding, I think her cost is too high.

Reply from Keren Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer at The Orchards

Thank you for your feedback, it is very much appreciated to enable us to make improvements to our service. We will look into your mums food choices.
We use a dependency tool and cost of care calculator to ensure that the care costs reflect each residents needs. As a not for profit charity we reinvest any small surpluses back into providing the best care for our residents.


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Review from D C (Husband of Resident) published on 23 June 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The staff, in general, were superb although working under a heavy load, some of the hygiene needed attention, as regards toilets and bathrooms, overall though some staff went the extra mile to make my wife happy. The medical side also needed attention, talking to and understanding the residents needs
more and involving the GP's visits more often.

Reply from Keren Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer at The Orchards

We have taken your comments on board and put measures in place to ensure that we have improved in these areas. We always welcome feedback as this helps us to improve our service.


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Review from Jane C (Wife of Resident) published on 28 May 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Quality of care given comes from the top of any organisation and in this case, with the Manager at the helm, I find it is excellent.

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Review from M S (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 June 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My Mum received the best care and attention whilst living at the orchards. The staff were always cheerful and professional and always treated Mum with dignity and respect, they treated her as an individual and kept her spirits up. We were always informed of any health changes and visits from GP's etc.
We moved mum to The Orchards from a previous home that she had been in and it was the best decision we could have made regarding her care. When Mum was reaching the end of her life, the care and compassion shown to her and us as a family was excellent, nothing was too much trouble, even when we had family members visiting at all hours, for this, we can not thank them enough.

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Review from Ronald S (Husband of Resident) published on 25 May 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The home is becoming a home from home gradually, the core staff are excellent and all cheerfull, constantly striving to give the residents the best possible care.

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Review from Sue C (Respite Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 14 May 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

An extremely welcoming respite week where nothing was too much trouble. I hope that I will be going again at least twice more this year the next time in July.

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Review from Sandra W (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 14 May 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All staff are cheerful, welcoming, respectful and understanding, always having time for Dad and our family. Care and nursing needs are well documented if there is a health issue, the nurse phones us. Time is taken to allow dad to make choices of his own regarding meals, activities and clothing. All
curtains are immediately drawn to ensure privacy when administering care. The room and bathroom are a good size, well equipped, clean and well maintained although on the odd occasion clothing not belonging to dad has been put in the drawers. There are many communal lounges of varying sizes and all have tea and coffee making facilities, many rooms overlook the well used, accessible and secure garden. Our dad feels that he is in his own home with carers on hand and friends living close by, he enjoys the regular entertainment and very good meals in the restaurant. He enjoys the freedom of choosing where he spends his time and moving himself around and also enjoys the interaction with other residents and staff.

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Review from Tim H (Son of Resident) published on 19 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My Dad had been in this care home for 5 weeks. On arrival, it was noted that his radiator was not working. 5 weeks later it is still not working! With the cold weather fast approaching one would have thought this would be a priority. My Dad has cancer so he feels the cold. The manager did offer more
blankets. But surely it can't take 5 weeks to fix a very simple problem! We do wonder what we are paying £1200 a week for? At times he does not get his breakfast until 11 am, he is left in his room when he could be encouraged to attend the functions in the main area.


I wrote the above review in October 2017. The above was fixed shortly after my complaint. Sadly my Dad passed away last week. I would like to thank all the staff at The Orchards for all the help and care they gave him in the last few weeks.


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Review from D M (Sister of Resident) published on 10 November 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My observations are based on two weeks when my brother who has MS was in for respite care.
He is severely handicapped. During the first week's visit, I asked if he could have a soak in the bath. This was granted the next day. All the staff that my husband and I spoke to were very friendly, caring and
professional. The activity schedule was very impressive.

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Review from Katie S (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 November 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It is a hard decision to decide to place your loved one in a care home. My mother has been at The Orchards for a few months, she has flourished, she is eating more and gaining very much needed weight. The care team are so very, very, kind and unlike the previous home, the manager is out and about on
the floor. I have found the process of committing my mother to care so very distressing, but the manager has spent time with me, offering me words of comfort and I feel finally we have the right home for her. The Orchards is a truly beautiful place to be.

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Review from June S (Respite Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 23 October 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I had a comfortable fortnight with kindly staff. I've very limited sight so rely on my husband to read and write for me.

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Review from P F (Son of Resident) published on 28 September 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My family are very pleased with the care and treatment of my mother. Your nursing home is very clean and tidy, much better than other places we have seen.

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Review from Chris R (Grandson of Resident) published on 4 January 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It's a distressing period for all involved when it comes to picking a Care Home for a member of your family as it's usually the last important decision you can take for a relative. Reviews can often play quite an important part in this which is why I want to share our recent experience. It was a last
minute thing with my Grandmother having to leave her home and go into full-time care as her condition was changing by the day. From the moment my Mother had the initial tour of The Orchards she was put at ease and felt there was no need to look any further. From the time my Grandmother arrived and throughout the 5 weeks she was there all the staff from the management to the Nurses and Carers provided an excellent level of care, nothing was too much trouble. As a family, it has helped us tremendously knowing that the right decision was made and my Grandmother was in the best possible place and had such caring and dignified end of life care. Thank you all very much.

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Review from Ann Elizabeth B (Resident) published on 8 November 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I am a very close friend to a resident at The Orchards Nursing Home. On the 17th of October, she invited two friends down from Sussex. We were all welcomed by the staff and had lunch with the resident. We were very well looked after by all, and especially by the activities co-ordinator, who looked after
us for lunch and was very professional.
We had a lovely meal and nothing was too much trouble. This gave my friend a very big lift, and they felt much better for it, made all the difference. Also a big thank you to the manager and the lady in the office - which is very well run.

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Review from Ken S (Husband of Resident) published on 15 April 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My observations are now based upon the continued care, kindness and medical attention shown to my wife over two years and nine months tell me that The Orchards is very good. I have alternated my selections of the "options" concerned that to put excellent for them all might look like exaggeration. My
wife is settled, comfortable and well nourished. I happily dine with her there frequently. The nursing is excellent and there is no hesitation when necessary to visit or call in the GP. I am always kept fully informed of any medical situation. The GP response in Crewkerne is excellent too. "Gold standard indeed."

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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.794)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.794) out of 10 for The Orchards 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 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 11 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 4.794 for The Orchards is calculated as follows: ( (106 Excellents x 5) + (23 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 131 Ratings = 4.794

  • 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 The Orchards is based on 11 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 45 registered maximum number of service users is 9, which has been reached with 11 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: 21 Dec 2022

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Outstanding

  • 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 (0)

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Meet the Team (4)

Ruth

Ruth O'Dea

Job Title: Home Manager

Joined: 2018

Ruth has more than 20 years of experience in elderly care; She is a qualified Registered Mental Nurse and holds a Level 4 NVQ in Care Home Management. Ruth has a passion for collaborative working and inclusion, encouraging others to see beyond a person’s diagnosis.
Since qualifying as a nurse, Ruth has undertaken various courses, including a dementia championship certificate completed in conjunction with the University of Bradford. Ruth also presented at the National UK Dementia Congress with regard to community involvement. She has been a member of a National Guideline Committee responsible for shaping care for those with dementia in the UK. 


In her spare time, Ruth enjoys reading, philosophy and travelling/exploring the countryside with her Siberian Huskies. 


Jon

Jon Tiller

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Jon is the Deputy Manager for The Orchards.


Michelle

Michelle Jones

Job Title: Activities Lead

Michelle is the Activities Lead for The Orchards.


Michaela

Michaela Sweet

Job Title: Receptionist

Michaela is the Receptionist at The Orchards