Building & Rooms
Is there accessible parking?
There is a small car park at the front of the building which visitors are free to use. Please be aware it can get very busy, especially in the mornings. There is also plenty of parking available on Beech Croft Road and a disabled space outside the Home on the road – you will need a Blue Badge to park there.
Are there nearby public transport links?
The Home is very close to bus links into Oxford or to Oxford Parkway.
What is available close by?
Summertown is a short walk away, with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants. There are also local GPs, dentists, hairdressers very close by.
Are there any lifts?
There are two lifts at the Home, both suitable to fit wheelchairs.
Is there a garden?
We have a small communal garden with plenty of seating.
How many rooms do you have?
There are 28 single bedrooms and 1 double room, there is a large communal dining room and two lounges.
Do the rooms have en-suite facilities?
All of our rooms have en-suite facilities (toilet and sink). 3 rooms also include an en-suite shower. There is a bathroom and shower room on each floor.
Can residents bring their own furniture?
Yes. Rooms are fully furnished, however some residents like to bring their own furniture such as bookcases or tables. It can depend on the size or layout of the room what you can bring in. Photos, pictures or shelves can be put up to make it feel more homely.
Can residents change rooms at a later date?
Yes, as long as this will be beneficial to the resident. Sometimes the Home can request a room move, such as a resident moving to a ground floor room.
Are there safes or locked drawers in the bedrooms?
Yes there are locked drawers in most of the bedside tables. We can provide lockable boxes if needed.
Food & Dining
Is there a choice for each meal?
Yes, there are different choices for each day and are rotated every 4 weeks. They are often changed.
Can special diets be catered for?
Yes, when a resident first arrives we would see if they need a special diet or have an allergy that we need to be aware of. Our kitchen staff have plenty of experience and menus can be altered.
Do residents get a say in meal choices?
There are regular coffee mornings with the Manager where residents can bring up any suggestions for the menus. Residents can make requests if there is a meal choice they would like with the Manager or the kitchen staff.
Can residents eat in their rooms?
Most residents will eat in the communal dining room, but meals can be eaten in their rooms if they wish.
Visitors
What time are visitors welcome?
Visitors are welcome at any time.
Can visitors have lunch?
Yes at a charge of £5 to be put onto the residents monthly bill.
Are young children welcome?
Absolutely, our residents enjoy having younger visitors come in and see them
Can pets be brought in?
Yes as long as they are well behaved.
Staff
Are there dedicated activities staff?
There are two Activities staff in post, Peri-Ann is our Activities Manager and Catherine works as our activities assistant.
Is there a Manager in post?
Hilda Nakalembe is the Home Manager. She has worked at the Home for over 4 years.
Is the Manager accessible?
The Manager and Administrators office is located at the front of the building by the front hall. The Office is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday
Is there a senior member of staff on duty at all times?
There is always a Senior Care Assistant on duty, day or night.
Are staff trained?
Staff are fully trained and most have NVQ Diplomas in Health and Social Care, or are working towards it. The Home encourages all staff to gain this Diploma and will help them complete it.
The Home hosts in-house training annually to cover all mandatory subjects for care and domestic staff. We also have champions of specific areas like Oral hygiene and falls.
Many of the Home's staff have been working here for several years and have lots of experience and skills.
Moving in & Care Needs
How do you apply?
There is an application form that you will need to fill in to become a resident. If you need a room urgently, please contact the Manager as soon as possible.
Is there a waiting list and is there a long wait?
There is a waiting list, but this does not mean there is a long wait for rooms. Any urgent need for a room would be considered first, however if you are on the waiting list you will be given priority.
In some instances we will not know when a room will become available, so sometimes there can be a wait to move in.
Will the Home assess new residents?
All residents are assessed before they come into the Home by the Manager. The first 4 weeks will be an assessment period and a meeting will be held with the resident (and relative if they wish) to discuss this and staying at the Home.
Do I need to change my GP?
Not necessarily. Our GP surgery linked with the Home is Summertown Health Centre. Please ask your GP and they can advise you.
Do healthcare professionals, such as doctors, chiropodists and physiotherapists, visit the Home?
Yes they all visit very regularly. GPs and other healthcare professionals will visit if requested by the care staff. A physiotherapist visits once a week and a chiropodist visits monthly.
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Manager or the Administrator on 01865 888500.