In 2023 my mother was placed here, after my Dad was taken to hospital. She was sent here for respite, at that point they'd just started the process of figuring out what was happening with Dad. She was bed ridden, had advanced COPD and mild dementia. Dad had been her carer for years but was now too ill. The place was nice, the staff when I went there to discuss, were lovely at the time etc. Unfortunately, within a week or so, she passed away (which probably wasn't a great shock due to her multiple problems). The nurses who called me when she passed, were lovely when I arrived, they seemed a bit shaken that she'd gone so fast. I was understandably also in shock but I asked them to keep her wedding ring for me to pick up later... it was around 4am (ish) in the morning and I just wanted to leave after I said my goodbyes.... A few days later, I went down to the home to get her ring. At this point I'd heard nothing from them. Upon arrival, the staff member at the desk obviously recognized me, and asked me if I was there for Mum's ring. I said I was... There was several minutes of the staff working out which safe it was in - fair enough - and then another staff member came to reception and asked me if I was there for Marie Maslen's ring. I said yes... She left and came back several minutes later and just handed me the ring. I was visibly upset, but just took it and walked out. I didn't expect a fuss to be made... I didn't expect to be hugged etc... but not one person there that day made reference to Mum, not one single, "sorry about your mum". I've been a Vet nurse for 20+ years at that point. Often we might have an owner come in to collect a pet's collar or lead after they'd passed. It was always a given that staff would comfort a pet owner, spend a few minutes chatting, even take them to another room to let them express their sadness. We often shared a tear with them.... So there's that. Our staff will hug a dog's owner when their beloved pet has passed away, but not one person from a "Catholic" nursing home could even utter the cursory "I'm sorry about your Mum..." Like - wow.... My email to them later of course, generated an apology from the management (in the form of a phone call) - and I'm sure she was genuinely sorry and embarrassed... It's not a good look for a place that is supposed to be kind and caring. I rarely leave reviews, I don't like them - I don't like the damage they can cause a business... but on the 2 year anniversary of losing mum (in a few weeks) - I'm still disappointed and angry about the way I was treated. It would've been a 5 star review if it hadn't been for this. Mum was treated well while she was there, but I wasn't even offered any of her other items back, and I was too upset by the time I left to even ask. I hope they do better in the future with grieving family members. PS - I lost Mum in Feb 23 and Dad in March 23. It was a crap year in general.
