Care Homes in Morpeth

Morpeth has 12 CQC registered care homes. 11 are rated Good, 1 Requires improvement. 3 of the 12 were last inspected more than three years ago.

Source: Care Quality Commission register, kept up to date as ratings change.

Arranging care in Morpeth and working out who pays

The assessment that shapes everything else

It is tempting to start with buildings and brochures, but the assessment is what establishes on paper the level of care someone actually needs. Any adult who appears to need help with daily living can ask for a free care needs assessment, and a relative may request one on their behalf. Northumberland County Council carries out that assessment for people living in Morpeth, identifies which needs are eligible, and records how they should be met. Anyone providing unpaid care can also ask for a separate assessment of their own needs.

Funding, fees and what they include

A financial assessment follows and takes account of income, savings and, in most residential cases, the value of a property, in order to decide whether the council contributes towards the fees. Some placements are funded in full, some in part, and some are met privately, and the assessment is the only dependable way to establish which applies. Residential fees are quoted weekly and reflect the room and the level of support required, so ask each home for its current rate in writing. Check what falls outside that figure as well, since hairdressing, chiropody and outings are often billed separately and mount up over a year.

If circumstances change

Needs rarely stay still, and a placement that suits someone now may not suit them in two years. Ask how a home reassesses residents, how fees change when more support is required, and what the arrangement is if savings fall to the point where council funding becomes relevant.

Choosing between the homes in Morpeth and what to check

What the ratings across these twelve show

Eleven homes hold a rating of Good, among them Heatherdale Residential Home, Hazelmead Residential Care Home, Hepscott Care Centre, No 11&12 Third Row, Foxton Court, Elpha Lodge Residential Care Home, Rothbury Cottage Care Ltd, Flexible Support Options Limited (Pengarth), Bentinck Crescent, Scottlyn and Wilkinson Park. Riverside House is currently rated Requires Improvement. A rating below Good describes what inspectors found on a particular visit rather than a permanent verdict, so read the report and ask the manager what has changed since.

What to watch for on a visit

Pay attention to how staff speak to residents when they are not showing anyone round, because that is where the character of a home shows itself. Ask about staffing levels overnight, how long the registered manager has been in post, and what the home does when somebody becomes unsettled or distressed. Find out how the home decides that a resident's needs have outgrown what it can offer, since that answer is what prevents a second move later on.

The practical questions

Ask to see a sample menu and the activities programme, and ask what happens for someone who would rather not join in. Check whether a bedroom can be furnished with personal belongings, how visitors are welcomed and at what hours, and how families are kept informed between visits. With eleven homes rated Good to choose from, you can afford to be particular about the details that will matter day to day.

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