St Margarets Garth, Crossgate, Durham, DH1 4DS
View Full Details of St Margaret's Care HomeMy mam was in St Margaret's between October 2023 and January 2024. The regular staff were professional to deal with. It did appear some bank staff were not the hardest working. Towards the end, my mam received attentive nursing care, particularly from one staff member in particular. There was some entertainment in the lounge and some activities appeared to be available. On the nursing floor, very few residents sat in the lounge during the day or evenings but some went to the dining room for meals. I never saw the general residential floor. At the weekends it could be a long wait to be let into the care home as admin staff were not around to respond to the buzzer.
Professional and friendly care.
We are very happy with Mam's care most of the time. We sometimes have small issues but they are always resolved. I think a concern we do have is when there are bank staff. We feel they have no training to deal with dementia residents. I was most upset to see one of them snoozing in the lounge. I think my glaring at him intensely woke him up. The regular staff are all amazing. Thanks to all.
Wonderful carers and staff. Friendly, kind and approachable.
Great staff on every level. All staff are extremely friendly and professional. Cannot praise the staff enough. They are excellent.
St Margaret's, you have an exceptional team of staff! My mam has recently become a resident and I'm overwhelmed by the team's dedication to giving genuine care with kindness, respect and professionalism. Every member of staff, whatever their role, goes beyond just doing their job; they don't just fulfil their duties, they really 'see' the person in their care and maintain their dignity at all costs. Mam has full mental capacity and is struggling to accept and cope with losing her mobility, her independence and the life she had. All of the staff have taken time to chat with Mam, to get to know her on a personal level, pop in to just say 'hello' as they're passing. All of this has made a huge difference to Mam's quality of life and helped her to feel safe and welcomed. My only gripe is, some agency staff haven't a good command of English and/or an understanding of what's needed and Mam has experienced some difficulties a couple of times during the night. However, each time I've raised the issue with permanent staff, they've resolved it. We are so thankful to you all and really appreciate everything you do!
I've been here for five weeks, only two nights I could sleep in quietness, the nighttime staff just talking every hour after midnight, waking me up at least three to four times. Last night they talked very loudly for more than twenty minutes at the outside hut, I shout at them but they shout back to me.
I was greeted very well when I arrived. Taken to my room and made comfortable. I was given a buzzer to enable me to contact a carer. They did respond but because this is a busy home they sometimes were a bit late. If I had an accident and wet my trousers they cleaned me up and changed me. It was done very quickly and they were aware of my privacy. The food is very varied which I can choose from. I think it lacks in fresh fruit. The room is quite small and makes it difficult for staff to use the various pieces of equipment necessary to move it anywhere. I think they are short of equipment.
My experience has been as the 'best possible'. Thank you St Margaret's Care Home. Everything has been totally satisfactory.
Reading the other recent reviews makes me wonder if the levels of care that is provided differs depending on the care needed or the reason behind someone's residency. This was my first experience of a nursing home so maybe my expectations were too high but as a daughter of someone who needed extensive palliative care, I felt my dad's very short period here was extremely uncomfortable for both him and his supporting family. I will take this up with the nursing home separately in the new year but if you are looking at palliative care options then I urge you to do your research and ask questions with regards to what the nursing care looks like before you select this establishment.
My mother has been a resident of St Margaret's Care Home for almost a year. The care she receives is excellent. All of the staff are thoughtful and caring and do a wonderful job in caring for my mother. She is very comfortable and contented and when she has confusion and is unsettled, as she has dementia, they skillfully are able to support her. Mum loves the company, the meals, her room, the activities and the staff. Thank you so much. My sister and I find it very helpful to be able to talk with staff too.
This is my first taste of a care home and find it very good indeed in all aspects, except the food, plenty of it but most of it is overcooked 'boiled to death', otherwise, I am very happy here and the staff are great.
The staff are very good, friendly, caring and very considerate towards my mam's needs. The rooms are good and kept very clean.
I have always found the staff in general to be pleasant and friendly when I visit but I have realised that the staff don't just look after my Dad's needs, they actually care about him. To hear them today describe him as special, despite the challenges that he presents says it all. Thank you to St Margaret's care home staff for the excellent care Dad receives.
During a recent visit, I was quite disturbed by the fact that there were no permanent staff on duty, other than the supervisor. The staff were all foreign some with very little English. This was making communication with residents very difficult. I realise within the care sector there is a staffing shortage but I think it would be beneficial to have at least one permanent member of staff on duty. My family are still finding getting to speak to Mum on the phone very difficult it can sometimes take all day to get through.
The home has recently been extensively refurbished, mainly the areas that visitors see - shame they didn’t replace draughty windows and old carpets in some of the rooms. My mum's dining room is extremely cold when the wind blows. In the years my mum has been a resident, I have noticed a marked decline in the standard of food (lower quality of meat and fish) and cold drinks when available are watered-down cordials; I guess all due to cost of living increases. High staff turnover, agency staff are used frequently, and permanent staff seem to genuinely care for residents. The cleaning team are excellent; my mum's room and units are spotless at all times. There is no garden, just a patio at the back where residents are encouraged to plant up pots for the summer and a small patio to the side with views of the castle; this doesn’t appear to be used (it is attached to the nursing floor). Entertainment and activities are few and far between, loud volume on the TV is used as entertainment in the lounge.
I have visited this home more than 200 times since May 2022 to see my wife, who has Alzheimer's. I have always found the staff be it admin, caring, catering, cleaning, nursing, laundry or hairdressing, to be approachable, kind and considerate. They do a difficult job under trying conditions, and I commend what they do.
I feel that my mam is well cared for at St Margaret's Care Home. All staff are friendly and easy to talk to, towards myself and my mam. Nothing is too much trouble. Mam is settled at St Margaret's. Her room is kept clean, and so is the rest of the home. Mam is treated with dignity, and her needs are well met.
I am very happy with the care and support my father receives at St Margaret's. The staff are amazing - incredibly dedicated, supportive and patient. I can't praise them highly enough. Dad is very happy at St Margaret's. They are always very supportive of myself too.
Exceptional, caring staff where nothing is a trouble. The care and patience my husband receives are gratefully received and appreciated. The home is kept clean, as is bedding/clothing. Husband's nursing staff closely monitor him and his medical requirements. Grateful - thanks to all staff.
My mam was in St Margaret's between October 2023 and January 2024. The regular staff were professional to deal with. It did appear some bank staff were not the hardest working. Towards the end, my mam received attentive nursing care, particularly from one staff member in particular. There was some entertainment in the lounge and some activities appeared to be available. On the nursing floor, very few residents sat in the lounge during the day or evenings but some went to the dining room for meals. I never saw the general residential floor. At the weekends it could be a long wait to be let into the care home as admin staff were not around to respond to the buzzer.
Professional and friendly care.
We are very happy with Mam's care most of the time. We sometimes have small issues but they are always resolved. I think a concern we do have is when there are bank staff. We feel they have no training to deal with dementia residents. I was most upset to see one of them snoozing in the lounge. I think my glaring at him intensely woke him up. The regular staff are all amazing. Thanks to all.
Wonderful carers and staff. Friendly, kind and approachable.
Great staff on every level. All staff are extremely friendly and professional. Cannot praise the staff enough. They are excellent.
St Margaret's, you have an exceptional team of staff! My mam has recently become a resident and I'm overwhelmed by the team's dedication to giving genuine care with kindness, respect and professionalism. Every member of staff, whatever their role, goes beyond just doing their job; they don't just fulfil their duties, they really 'see' the person in their care and maintain their dignity at all costs. Mam has full mental capacity and is struggling to accept and cope with losing her mobility, her independence and the life she had. All of the staff have taken time to chat with Mam, to get to know her on a personal level, pop in to just say 'hello' as they're passing. All of this has made a huge difference to Mam's quality of life and helped her to feel safe and welcomed. My only gripe is, some agency staff haven't a good command of English and/or an understanding of what's needed and Mam has experienced some difficulties a couple of times during the night. However, each time I've raised the issue with permanent staff, they've resolved it. We are so thankful to you all and really appreciate everything you do!
I've been here for five weeks, only two nights I could sleep in quietness, the nighttime staff just talking every hour after midnight, waking me up at least three to four times. Last night they talked very loudly for more than twenty minutes at the outside hut, I shout at them but they shout back to me.
I was greeted very well when I arrived. Taken to my room and made comfortable. I was given a buzzer to enable me to contact a carer. They did respond but because this is a busy home they sometimes were a bit late. If I had an accident and wet my trousers they cleaned me up and changed me. It was done very quickly and they were aware of my privacy. The food is very varied which I can choose from. I think it lacks in fresh fruit. The room is quite small and makes it difficult for staff to use the various pieces of equipment necessary to move it anywhere. I think they are short of equipment.
My experience has been as the 'best possible'. Thank you St Margaret's Care Home. Everything has been totally satisfactory.
Reading the other recent reviews makes me wonder if the levels of care that is provided differs depending on the care needed or the reason behind someone's residency. This was my first experience of a nursing home so maybe my expectations were too high but as a daughter of someone who needed extensive palliative care, I felt my dad's very short period here was extremely uncomfortable for both him and his supporting family. I will take this up with the nursing home separately in the new year but if you are looking at palliative care options then I urge you to do your research and ask questions with regards to what the nursing care looks like before you select this establishment.
My mother has been a resident of St Margaret's Care Home for almost a year. The care she receives is excellent. All of the staff are thoughtful and caring and do a wonderful job in caring for my mother. She is very comfortable and contented and when she has confusion and is unsettled, as she has dementia, they skillfully are able to support her. Mum loves the company, the meals, her room, the activities and the staff. Thank you so much. My sister and I find it very helpful to be able to talk with staff too.
This is my first taste of a care home and find it very good indeed in all aspects, except the food, plenty of it but most of it is overcooked 'boiled to death', otherwise, I am very happy here and the staff are great.
The staff are very good, friendly, caring and very considerate towards my mam's needs. The rooms are good and kept very clean.
I have always found the staff in general to be pleasant and friendly when I visit but I have realised that the staff don't just look after my Dad's needs, they actually care about him. To hear them today describe him as special, despite the challenges that he presents says it all. Thank you to St Margaret's care home staff for the excellent care Dad receives.
During a recent visit, I was quite disturbed by the fact that there were no permanent staff on duty, other than the supervisor. The staff were all foreign some with very little English. This was making communication with residents very difficult. I realise within the care sector there is a staffing shortage but I think it would be beneficial to have at least one permanent member of staff on duty. My family are still finding getting to speak to Mum on the phone very difficult it can sometimes take all day to get through.
The home has recently been extensively refurbished, mainly the areas that visitors see - shame they didn’t replace draughty windows and old carpets in some of the rooms. My mum's dining room is extremely cold when the wind blows. In the years my mum has been a resident, I have noticed a marked decline in the standard of food (lower quality of meat and fish) and cold drinks when available are watered-down cordials; I guess all due to cost of living increases. High staff turnover, agency staff are used frequently, and permanent staff seem to genuinely care for residents. The cleaning team are excellent; my mum's room and units are spotless at all times. There is no garden, just a patio at the back where residents are encouraged to plant up pots for the summer and a small patio to the side with views of the castle; this doesn’t appear to be used (it is attached to the nursing floor). Entertainment and activities are few and far between, loud volume on the TV is used as entertainment in the lounge.
I have visited this home more than 200 times since May 2022 to see my wife, who has Alzheimer's. I have always found the staff be it admin, caring, catering, cleaning, nursing, laundry or hairdressing, to be approachable, kind and considerate. They do a difficult job under trying conditions, and I commend what they do.
I feel that my mam is well cared for at St Margaret's Care Home. All staff are friendly and easy to talk to, towards myself and my mam. Nothing is too much trouble. Mam is settled at St Margaret's. Her room is kept clean, and so is the rest of the home. Mam is treated with dignity, and her needs are well met.
I am very happy with the care and support my father receives at St Margaret's. The staff are amazing - incredibly dedicated, supportive and patient. I can't praise them highly enough. Dad is very happy at St Margaret's. They are always very supportive of myself too.
Exceptional, caring staff where nothing is a trouble. The care and patience my husband receives are gratefully received and appreciated. The home is kept clean, as is bedding/clothing. Husband's nursing staff closely monitor him and his medical requirements. Grateful - thanks to all staff.