Birch Abbey

Birch Abbey is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 60 people, including those living with dementia, mental health conditions, physical disabilities and sensory impairments. Around 33 people lived there when the CQC assessed the home, and the rating fell from good to requires improvement.

Inspectors found weak governance, with repeat incidents, gaps in staff training, and inconsistent record-keeping around wounds, medicines and infection control. Call bells were not always working, and mental capacity assessments were not always properly followed. Families praised caring staff, though some had concerns about safety, delayed help and staff support, and the provider had already begun an improvement plan.