Review from Peter T (Client) published on 3 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

They send people who've never been introduced to you or your house so you end up constantly training new people. They also don't tell you when there is a substitute for your rota so unexpected people turn up. This also makes it difficult to organise shopping and pick up of prescriptions.

Reply from Bernadette Mills, Director at Bluebird Care New Forest

As an owner, I am always worried about getting negative feedback. However, I have looked into your case and you have the same carer 4 days a week at the same time consistently and one day you had a different one. When that particular carer was on holiday, you did get a different carer who might not know the care package as they will have to be allocated as and when it fits with their run. The continuity of your care is extremely good and I feel that you have been really undeservedly harsh on the team. We know that many other care providers will not give their customers, schedules ahead of the week, nor dedicated timeslots like with you. nor the continuity. Our manager will contact you directly to discuss the matter.

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Review from Moira C (Daughter of Client) published on 3 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

With failing memory, it is never going to be easy to encourage a previously very independent lady to accept help in order to keep her safe and healthy at home; the importance of working together as a team, whilst respecting the individual's rights and independence, when trespassing in her space and

home. It depends on developing those relationships and friendships, by keeping to a core of a few carers who know her well. Through regular meetings with Bluebird, we have managed to tailor her care in the knowledge that she is receiving hot nourishing meals and daily checks, to ensure her safety and enabling her to remain and enjoy her family home for as long as possible. We are very happy that Bluebird have succeeded in making this happen, notwithstanding the very challenging times with the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on recruitment and maintaining staff throughout the sector.

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Review from Tony B (Son of Client) published on 3 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Bluebird Care New Forest have been looking after my mother for some years now. We continue to be delighted with the care they show towards her. When from time to time she has a fall they make sure that she is safe, call an ambulance and standby for a long as is sensible. Without the level of care, they

provide Mum would not be so content and happy living in her home, which means so much to her.

Reply from Bernadette Mills, Director at Bluebird Care New Forest

Thank you for your kind words. Our teams do their utmost to make it possible, in current difficult times, to continue our service.

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Review from Gary H (Son of Client) published on 2 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Very good service. Thank you.

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Review from Stella M (Daughter of Client) published on 12 June 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Your care and support of my elderly mother have been so reassuring during these unprecedented times but also ever since we started with you in November 2019. As neither I nor my sister live close by we are comforted by the knowledge that you not only look after our mum but also bring her daily company.

Thank you all!

Reply from Bernadette Mills, Managing Director at Bluebird Care New Forest

Thank you for this positive feedback. We will try to ensure that we continue to deliver a high standard.

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Review from Christine W (Daughter of Client) published on 3 April 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

The domiciliary team was involved in the care of our mother for over two years, after reassurance that accepting help could enable her to stay at home. Carers were punctual, smartly dressed, with cheerful dispositions. There was consistency of approach with high standards of care. If uncertain, they

sought advice. Notes relating to the visit could be viewed electronically by us. Dignity and respect were given, whilst Mum was encouraged to be as independent as possible. Unfortunately with time, 24-hour care was needed. Domiciliary carers supported, alongside live-in carers; more skills were delivered competently. These visits were reassuring to the family, some carers now knowing Mum quite well, and so able to share their knowledge and understanding of her needs with live-in carers. This consistency of care was much valued by the family. We are grateful for the professionalism, care and compassion shown which allowed Mum to stay at home.

Reply from Bernadette Mills, Director at Bluebird Care New Forest

Dear Christine W,
On behalf of our New Forest Team, we thank you for your praise. It is an honest review. An integrated person-centred approach of live in care and double up care is not always easy to manage and I am glad that your experience has been a positive one.

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Review from J E (Daughter of Client) published on 28 February 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

The compassion and care shown by the first live-in carer was impressive. Unfortunately, this was temporary, as the carer had regular clients.
A somewhat ‘rocky ride’ followed; live-in carers were not available with the necessary skills. Although sympathetic, we felt too many were assigned inappropriately.
Our

experiences changed after c.8 months, with the arrival of a dedicated, trustworthy and competent carer. She went out of her way to do her best at everything. Continuity of good care came when a regular cover carer was assigned to Mum.
We were then able to witness the benefits of 24-hour care; if personal care was painful, it was broken up into parts. If there was anxiety, the carer could reassure... and was not constrained by set times.
We are grateful for the high level of continuity of skilful care and compassion shown to Mum over the last eighteen months of her life; which meant that she could fulfil her wish to be cared for at home.
NB. Due to our varied experiences, the ratings reflect averages of the whole live-in care period.

Reply from Bernadette Mills at Bluebird Care New Forest

Dear family, I appreciate your honest review.
As we said at the beginning of the journey, with live-in care, it takes a while to match personalities and skills set. To assume that the first person in the assignment immediately works is not a given. In order to make live-in care work, you need to have a team as when your main carer goes off sick we do need to be able to move other people in. Availabilities change, circumstances change and carers preferences change, which is something we often do not convey to families as they have enough on their plate.
Live-in care takes time to settle. We have learned from the experience and we have addressed certain issues in-house to improve that side of the equation.
As a family, you are very much involved and that was an enormous help. Not every care assignment has that level of engagement and that is what we often have to work with. You all did your mum proud.

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Review from Krysia T (Daughter of Client) published on 23 February 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Bluebird carers looked after Mum on a daily basis for almost 4 years prior to her passing away in January of this year. The ladies were as smart, professional and prompt in their timing on the last day of care given as they were on the first. The level of service they offered never dipped, despite getting

to know us all very well during that period. The carers were always very respectful of Mum, our family and her home. Nothing was too much trouble. Due to her illness, Mum had both good days and bad days. Despite this, the ladies were never fazed and took everything in their stride. They were always cheerful, pleasant and polite, even when calls could at times be quite difficult. Present at most care calls, I really can't speak highly enough of their conduct. Furthermore, the support offered by the office was exactly what was needed to help us all through difficult times. Their understanding, flexibility and compassion helped make increasingly distressing times, a lot more bearable.

Reply from Bernadette Mills at Bluebird Care New Forest

It was a pleasure to be there for you and support you with looking after your mother. It is a credit to you as well.

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Review from Jeremy T (Son of Client) published on 8 May 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Bluebird (New Forest) have provided excellent support for 6 years to my recently departed mother (94). We are glad they were able to provide the increased levels of care needed, progressing over the last year or so from live in care to the addition of sleeping nights and latterly waking nights with

extra daytime visits when needed. We particularly appreciated the flexibility and rapidity with which they addressed the need for additional support or changes to the times, type and amount of care needed towards the end of her life. This enabled her to remain in her own home which was important to her.

The Carers are well supported by the office staff who make regular visits to check with the customers and the carer to see that all is well and identify if any changes to arrangements are needed.

Our thanks go to Bluebird for the excellent care they have provided over these past 6 years. We would not hesitate to recommend Bluebird (New Forest) to others needing care or support.

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Review from M P (Client) assisted by family/friend published on 16 March 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Everyone is friendly and treats me with respect.
They do exactly what they're expected to do on time. They never seem hurried.
Everyone always asks if there is anything else I need or that they can do.

Reply from Bernadette Mills, Managing Director at Bluebird Care New Forest

Thank you for your kind words.

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Review from Pamela P (Wife of Client) published on 5 March 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I have found Bluebird Care to be very good.
The staff helping my husband are friendly, polite and treat him with dignity.
They are hardworking and treat our home with respect.

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Review from Cathy M (Daughter of Client) published on 28 February 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I am happy with the service Bluebird Care provide for my Dad. It enables him to lead as normal life as possible, independently and loves the peace of mind that he is being looked after when I am not there.

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Review from Emma P (Niece of Client) published on 22 February 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

The large team of carers are all very reliable, friendly, polite, cheerful and competent. My uncle rates the service very highly.
We value the transparency offered by the app and the ability to contact the supervisor at any time. I have no hesitation in recommending Bluebird Care (New Forest).

Reply from Berandette Mills, Managing Director at Bluebird Care New Forest

Our PASSystem is a blessing for a lot of our customers as they can remotely see what is happening with their family member on a daily basis. I am pleased that you appreciate it and hopefully we will continue with providing the high quality care .

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Review from Philippa H (Daughter of Client) published on 20 February 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

By having Bluebird Care in to look after my mother, I trust them to take some of the pressure and strain from me.

I know she is well looked after well supported and encouraged to do things her herself.

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Review from Christine C (Daughter-in-law of Client) published on 14 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

Bluebird Care (New Forest) have now been caring for Mum's complex needs for over 2 years and after experiencing care from 5 other companies, Bluebird are easily and by far the best carers she has had over an 11 year period. They are very reliable in every way. Mum has two carers, 4 times a day and they

always turn up at the correct times, they are well trained in all aspects of their job, they are thoughtful and compassionate and in addition, they treat our family home with respect. All the previous points were sadly lacking with the 5 previous companies. The company seems well managed and there are frequent assessments of Mum's needs and also of the quality of care provided by each carer. Any concerns we have regarding Mum's care are always addressed properly and promptly. The Carers communicate with each other and the managers daily so any changes are implemented immediately with no problems. Thank you, Bluebird, at times it can be a difficult job, but we couldn't manage without you.

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Review from Frances S (Wife of Client) published on 7 June 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

Bluebird took over caring for my husband when his CHC funding was approved. My experience with the previous agency was somewhat mixed.
Bluebird were a breath of fresh air, so caring and professional.
During my husbands last 2 weeks when he was on end of life care, they were kind and supportive of

me also.
I just wish we had been able to have Bluebird for the durations of my husband's care and not just his final month.

Reply from Eve Dennis, Marketing Assistant at Bluebird Care New Forest

Thank you for your kind words. We are pleased to have provided a high-quality service at an important time in your husband's life.

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Review from Ray D (Husband of Client) published on 16 May 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience

I have had Bluebird Care of Lymington caring for my wife for over three years.
We enjoy full support with visits three times a day and five waking nights. The carers that visit are all fully trained and are very caring and offer full support to my wife. But they do not stop at that they also understand

that as a full-time carer I also need help and also get a lot of support from them.
The management and office staff are always pleased to help with any day to day problems and have always gone out of their way to offer support. Over the last twelve months, we have been introduced to the open PASS system which keeps us up to date with all the care notes.
This system also lists the bookings and times for the coming week it also lists the name of the carers that will be visiting us. The carers always arrive on time and if there is a problem we always get a phone call to update us. I am very pleased with the high quality of care and support we receive from Bluebird.

Reply from Bernadette Mills, Managing Director at Bluebird Care New Forest

Thank you for your kind remarks. We know it is not always easy for you as the main carer of your wife.
We do the utmost to make it possible to support you with the daily tasks and night assistance.

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Review from Kathleen S (Client) published on 26 April 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience

I find the care you provide variable but on the whole, it is satisfactory. Some of the carers provide excellent care while others are not quite as experienced. I feel that sometimes the carers may be tired as they seem to work so many hours.

Reply from Leanne, Bluebird Care, New Forest at Bluebird Care New Forest

We are aware that this customer prefers more mature carers to support her at home. Despite a significant number of cancelled calls, we are proud of the consistency of care we have been able to deliver to this customer. There are 3 carers who regularly assist her, with another carer filling in only when these regular carers are off duty/on holiday. We believe that a compassionate and empathetic approach to caring, rather than age, is a key driver in delivering the first class care all of our customers deserve.

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Bluebird Care New Forest

Care Provided by Bluebird Care New Forest

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