Testimonials
MORELAND HOUSE CARE HOME
Since October 2012 my mother, Mrs Annie Howard, has been a
resident of Moreland Care Home, Gidea Park. I felt very nervous
about this and did worry whether she would settle in, but I am
truly so grateful for the care she has had, the Manager and staff
are amazing, it really is like a family home. My mother, who is
ninety five years of age, suffers from dementia and arthritis in
her spine.
I should like to express my pleasure at the way she has been
cared for, during the five months that she has been there, during
her more coherent moments she has said the same thing herself.
My sincere thanks to the management, carers and other staff of
the home for their patience and for the kindness they have shown
towards her.
~ Ann Huxtable
MORELAND HOUSE CARE HOME
I recently had cause to ask for assistance from Social Services
for some respite for my mother. She is nearly 94 years old and I am
her sole carer. After my brother was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer
and I had to visit him in London several times a week, it became
too much to do everything for Mum as well i.e. Shopping, washing,
doctors, hospital & cleaning etc.
Social Services found mum a place at Moreland House Care home for
a few weeks. I cannot believe the transformation in her. She is
smiling most of the time and walks with her frame more confidently
now. She has a lovely room, is fed regularly (she wasn't eating at
home) and has social contact. She is registered blind and is quite
deaf and has Dementia but is now inter-acting with the staff and
other residents.
Jane, the manager, is very caring and patient, as are all the
staff and Mum has responded well with regular structure to her days
and bedtime. (Before she was going to bed at lunchtime and
wandering at night). There is a carer situated on the landing area
all night should any resident need attention. I have been given
such peace of mind that Mum is cared for 24/7. I was not getting
any sleep as she used to ring me at all hours and then I worried in
between whether she had fallen.
It is an unusual thing to say but I can now love, and look forward
to seeing, my Mum again. I had reached a point of exhaustion and
found myself getting cross and often shouting with tiredness and
exasperation.
I am almost 70 myself and felt that my life was on hold and seemed
to spend all my time being a carer but having Mum in such a
pleasant place as Moreland House has given me precious time with my
husband.
Having experienced how beneficial Moreland House has been for Mum,
not to mention ourselves, I have applied for a permanent place for
her. Hopefully, this will be granted. They have almost completed a
new wing to the home which, having seen a video of looks amazing
and will be state of the art caring.
~ Maureen Fursedonne
FOREST PLACE NURSING HOME
Hello Michelle,
I just felt I needed to email you after a very good visit with
my Mum (Doris) yesterday my best visit with her since she
came home from hospital. As you know Mum was discharged from
Whipps Cross Hospital on the 17th January in a very poorly way and
very underweight. My brothers, sister and I feel if it hadn't
been for the superb care and stimulation that Mum gets at Forest
Place she would have given up.
Over the time Mum was in hospital and when she came home I was
constantly on the phone to Forest Place speaking to staff about how
Mum was. Whenever I speak to a member of staff they are all
so helpful and reassuring. I speak for all of Doris's
children when I say we are so pleased with the wonderful care you
give our Mum. Our best wishes to all staff at Forest Place Janet,
Michael, Sheila and Mark.
~ Doris Beute's Children
FOREST PLACE NURSING HOME
Hi Michelle
I can-not stress enough how delighted I am with all the care and
attention you have all given me, Graham and our family and friends
both before, during and after his stay. I have to admit that this
is the first time in the two years Graham has received respite,
that I have felt happy to leave him. All the staff members were so
kind and helpful, nothing was too much trouble, and they had
obviously read his book!
I am delighted with Graham's placement with you and hope this
first visit will be just the beginning of a true and
on-going partnership.
With our grateful thanks
~ Judith and Graham
FOREST PLACE NURSING HOME
Dear Devi, Michelle and Sue
We are writing to thank all of you at
Forest Place for the care and support that you have given to Olive
Griffiths and her family during the few weeks she was with you.
We were unable to look after her at
home and Forest Place was the next bestthing. We felt from the
beginning that you did all you could to make it as nearher home as
possible for her and us. All of the staff, the nurses, the carers,
the cleaners, the Activity ladies, and the administrators were so
kind, friendly and helpful at all times. We really feel that a very
sad experience has been turned into something very special. We
thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Olives funeral is to take place on
Tuesday 12th March. There will be a committalat Enfield Crematorium
for the family, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving atthe United
Reform Church in Buxton Road Chingford at 12.15pm. Any of you would
be very welcome.
Sam and l were very interested to learn
about your plans for future activities during the year, when we
attended the Relatives Meeting last week. We think the concept of
the Activity worker is superb and we know that Olive enjoyed
Co|lette's contact with her. We are attaching a cheque which we
would like to be used to support this work as a very tiny thank you
for all you have done for us.
Yours sincerely
~ Pam and Sam Everton and John
Griffiths
FOREST PLACE NURSING HOME
I am writing on behalf of the nephews
and niece of Irene Whellams to place on record our appreciation of
the efforts made by all the staff at Forest Place in looking after
her in the months leading up to her death earlier this year. We
know that our aunt had considerable misgivings about going into a
care home prior to moving into Forest Place, but she adapted very
quickly to living there. She had nothing but praise for the
kindness of the staff and the way that they looked after her and
helped her during those difficult times.
We were also made to feel welcome
during our visits to see our Aunt. The staff were invariably
friendly and helpful. We were impressed, also,by the high standards
of the accommodation, and the effectiveness of the heating system
during the cold weather.
One of us will drop by in the near
future to deliver a thank you card and a token of our appreciation
for the staff. We hope that commendations such as this letter will
help you to attract new residents, and to continue to offer the
same wonderful services as you provided to our aunt.
Thank you once again
Your faithfully
~ John Barclay
FOREST PLACE NURSING HOME
LILY CONNELL 24th
April 1907 - 19th January 2012
The family would like to thank the
staff of Forest Place Nursing Home for talking Lily to their hearts
and for the loving care they gave her.
Their kindness was immeasurable She
will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Our One in a million lovely Lily.
~ STONEMASONS &
SCULPTORS
FOREST PLACE NURSING HOME
Dear Devi
Now that Dad, James Selfe, has lived at
Forest Place for the past four months I thought I would write to
let you know how pleased I am with the way he has been welcomed and
looked after.
Although it took him a few weeks to
settle, he instantly liked the food and the staff. The room you let
my sister and I chose for him is excellent, with its doors that
open onto a verandah. He has always been an outdoor person and was
very much missing that in the hospital.
Whenever it is felt he needs a visit to
the doctor or a change in medication your staff consult with me
first and any concerns I have are dealt with immediately.
As we discussed with you, Dad prefers
one to one company and walking. I am so pleased he has taken to Jan
who takes him out on a weekly basis for a trip to the shops or just
a walk. The time is very much appreciated as it must be difficult
with so many residents for whom to care.
I have noticed that there is always a
big beam for him from members of staff and vice versa with those he
recognizes. He seems particularly attached to two ladies (I'm
sorry, but his life was dominated by women so he probably finds
females easier to get on with.) I do hope he is not chatting up too
many of your lady members of staff. Dad is always a gentleman but
does enjoy a flirt.
Dad seems to eat well and his health is
as good as can be expected. I certainly have confidence in Forest
Place to look after him and better than if he lived with me.
Most importantly, Dad says he likes
being in the home although, of course, he often says he would
prefer to be with his wife.
Kind regards
Yours sincerely
~ Susan W
Kings(Mrs)
FOREST PLACE NURSING HOME
Dear Matron
Mom has been staying with you for over a year now, and we her
family wants to thank you for all the case and attention you and
your staff are showing to her.
We have noticed big change in her, for the better, I must add
mom seems to enjoy her days now, whereas before she was just sat in
front of the Television, not interacting with anyone.
Once mom moved from the hospital and who your home, with a lot
of T,h.c. from your team, Mom started to improve, and even found
her voice again.
We are sp pleased now that mom has been given a kind friendly
environment in which to gaie us much of her former self, as
it's possible for her to do.
Thank you
~ David Norman and Pam Head
FOREST PLACE NURSING HOME
Minerva Langley
CO9 4SW
2nd July 2012
Dear Michelle,
As you will notice i've left the best until last!
Marion and I wanted to say thank you so much for the lovely way
you interacted with dad, Jin Sege. To see his face light up and
that beautiful beam of a smile as you came into the room was
fantastic.
In recent years, of course, that smile was seen less and less as
he struggled to hold on to his sanity.
His ashes were burned with mums on 23rd June and so we truly know
they are together and dancing again.
Thank you for being you and making our lives more comfortable. May
god bless you.
~ Susan and Marion
FOREST PLACE NURSING HOME
Dear Michelle,
I am writing in respect of Derek Gill who has been in your care for
over one year now.
The change in Derek is quite amazing. When he first came into your
care from Whipps Cross Hospital, he was quite a sick person and at
a very low ebb. Gradually over the last 12 months he has improved
beyond belief.
Inspite of being confined to bed with his acute M.S. he is as happy
with life as I can remember over a very long time. I put this down
entirely to the care and attention of your dedicated staff, they
seem to be so attentive and nothing is too much trouble.
Please accept my sincere thanks for all you have and will do in the
future.
If only all nursing homes could be like Forest Place.
Good luck for the future.
Yours Sincerely
~ R. Marl
PARKSIDE NURSING HOME
I would like to thank Mary and her fabulous Parkside Team, for
all the love, care and support given to my Dad, Harry.
Over the 5 years that Dad lived at Parkside, the Parkside 'Family'
became part of my family and remains so, and I look forward to
seeing you all soon.
I would particularly like to draw attention to the last week of
Dad's life, it was such a relief to be able to get him back home
from hospital, and to have that very special time with him in a
familiar environment, safe, and with the very best care in the
world - we couldn't have got through it so comfortably without you
all. Your kindness, support, care and love - for both of us -
was tremendous. I am also grateful to Nina & the Princess
Alice Hospice, for their support. Thank you all so much.
~ Niki
ABBEY CARE COMPLEX
Jeff Hecker's (Relative of a Resident) letter to NHS
Outer North East London PALS and Complaints Team.
Dear PCT, or whatever you call yourself now,
I wish to make you aware of the exemplary way that Abbey Care
Complex, Newbury Park has looked after my mother over the past 2
years. Unfortunately her dementia deteriorated just
over a fortnight ago to the point that she could no
longer sustain life and she sadly passed away very peacefully.
I have written to the care home on behalf of the family to
thank them for all that they have done. People can be
very quick when it comes to criticising care and
health services when they perceive things to be not quite right,
often unfairly; sometimes criticism can be applied without due
attention having been given to the demands and pressures placed on
the 'system' and the people within it. I understand fully
that there have to be 'safeguards', that things have to be
investigated, and that users of care and health services have to be
protected. However, good things should be acknowledged.
(Maybe your contact details should specify 'complaints &
compliments'!)
For your information, I would like you to have on record the
note I sent to Mandy Lovell, manager at Abbey Care Complex, Newbury
Park, and her staff, following the death of my mother the sentiment
should be clear. It reads as follows:
"Dear Mandy and staff,
On behalf of Phyllis Hecker and her family I would like to
express our heartfelt thanks to Abbey Care for the care, comfort
and support we have all received over the past 2 years. I wish I
could remember all the names that have played a part over that
time, but, alas, I cannot.
Since you, Mandy, took over in March you have been very
attentive to our mother's needs and have been able to give Anne and
me your time when we have needed it. You managed this despite
taking on the challenge of injecting a new vibrancy and greater
sense of professionalism into the running of the home, as well as
overseeing significant improvements to the building itself and we
are confident that, under your guidance, it can only improve.
You have some wonderful staff under your wing; some we know
better than others, of course, but all those we have encountered
have been committed, kind and caring, and we thank them sincerely
for what they have done. The work of nurses and carers is difficult
and challenging - a word that is much used, but is probably the one
that sums things up best.
Staff have been superb in the way they have cared for Mum and we
can't thank them enough; they have also been very supportive to the
family, with Anne, in particular, always finding them with a free
shoulder to cry on, great support to us all and having
conversations with me and Anne about Mum's changing care needs,
which we valued greatly. We would like to thank the night nursing
and care staff, on duty when Mum died, for their practical but
sensitive handling of events throughout the Friday evening and
early hours of Saturday morning.
Staff have been magnificent in their efforts to entertain
residents communally and individually. Much thought is put into
what they do, and, clearly, their enthusiasm and dedication means
they do a fair amount of preparation in their own time. Not only do
we appreciate what they have done for Mum and other residents, but
also the entertainment that we, as visitors, have experienced …..
presentations on Hungary, Yorkshire, London etc, live music, dolls
that look like real babies (!): entertainment AND education.
We have nothing but praise, also, for the cleaning and kitchen
staff, who have been friendly and helpful going about their work.
The food has always looked pretty good and was appreciated by Mum
when she was able to eat some of the 'proper' meals served up. The
kitchen was responsive to Mum's changing needs for food and
drink.
The receptionist for her welcoming manner, for sorting things
out for us when they needed sorting, and for being kind and patient
at all times.
Last but not least, we wish to thank the other residents for
their part in making Abbey a good place in which to reside and
visit. Over the years there we have met interesting and
entertaining people who, despite not being in the best of health,
could still enjoy a conversation and a sing-song, and whose manner
could make the lounge a joyous place to be at times! We will always
remember them as 'characters', despite, sadly, not knowing them
when they were at their best. We wish the present residents and
their families well.
We hope to maintain contact with the home as it is now part
of the fabric of our family, and there are people there who we
would like to see from time to time.
Thanks again."
regards,
Jeff Hecker
Reply from NHS team:
Thank you for your email. Although, sadly, your mother has
passed away it is good to know that she was well cared for.
This is a standard we strive to see all our provider services
meet. We know that some staff go 'over and above'
but it's a caring attitude that makes such
a difference.
Your compliments about Abbey Care Complex, Newbury Park,
have been passed to our Director and Senior Manager of
Continuing Health Care services.
Kind regards,
Karen Roach
Patient Satisfaction Lead (PALS and Complaints
Team)