August 2023 by TomH
My father in law was in the final stages of Parkinson?s disease and was living with us when we enlisted Christchurch to provide his care. Due to the nature of his illness, his mobility was very limited and he could only move with support at certain times. Christchurch came to do an assessment and offered us windows of time which seemed perfect. They completed a care plan and all seemed well.Unfortunately they often shifted times without giving any notice, a system they blamed on their IT, which shifted clients in order to ?fit their need? whether it fitted with their clients or not.They then proceeded to change our care times indefinitely without consultation. I obviously complained and was told that I was being unreasonable due to them ?having to take a client that needed our care times?. I was effectively told that there was nothing that could be done. I was welcome to take my business elsewhere. This, I quickly learnt, was their policy. The management team do what they like regardless of care plans and try to maximise their profits at the expense of clients.More late visits ensued, more lack of communicated changes to care times. I complained again and they decided to hand back the care package (their terminology for sacking off clients who don?t conform). Sadly, it was my father in law that suffered. My wife and I both work full time and we were unable to move him in a safe way without assistance. He often cried because his short windows of movement were lost. For the last few months of his life we hired people who actually cared for him.Never in my life have I heard a company make such excuses for poor performance. Their email telling us they were withdrawing care cited traffic for their performance. We live in an easily accessible area. It was not traffic, it was their management.Most of their carers were very good and apologetic for the company?s behaviour. Several started to call us to inform us ?off the record? that care times had been changed when they came on shift so that we could try to adjust medication times. Most of these staff left the company. They were as horrified by the management as we were. Complaints brushed off, the customer is always wrong attitude. I wish I could rate the carers individually as some of the original ones deserve 5 stars. Sadly, during one of the most traumatic times my family has endured, Christchurch added to our stress levels and provided an overall performance that barely deserves 1 star. Use them at your peril.
July 2023 by Steve Halverson
I have an elderly couple with one being ?looked after? and the other needing care(washing and changing) 4/5 times a day, found that visits were lasting less than 15mins most tines, a very expensive watch has been stolen, and the bone existent care she is getting is shocking, it seems the customers that have no issues mentally get treated fine apparently but I give you my word and evidence if required of a very poor service a structured to go nowhere complaints system and if a complaint is made the blame is firmly put into the customer instead of actually looking into the staffing problems and attitude many of their staff have, Disgusting way to treat elderly and needy !!!!!! Complainers officially being out together to be formally made !!!!! ?
February 2023 by Clive Stevens
Poor care and when something does happen they blame the client and not there in trained staff.
November 2022 by Angela Milton
Christchurch Care Agencies carers have supported my uncle in his home for several years. He thought the world of them especially his regular carers, they always made time for him, he was never rushed, he loved to chat as he was a very social person, he looked forward to their visits. The last couple of years of his life became very difficult for him physically and emotionally, and his carers knew him so well, so they were able to help and reassure him at these times. The carers also became friends to us too, so i would like to highly recommend them and say a sincere thank you.
November 2022 by Vampy Candy
I have these carers in to look after my elderly mother recently, so that my family could have respite. Carer?s were rough handling her, to the point that she would be in tears and I have heard their carers talking about the others, saying that they hadn?t cleaned her down properly or helped her. She had one, aggressively push her to the side, so that they could get their job done and leave. Another was drying mum down and caused her to bleed, athere were marks under her stomach when they weren?t cleaning her properly.Awful services, lying to get themselves out of caring for my mum. I?ve heard, they do this to people to clear the books. They?ve told me, themselves.Apparently, we didn?t co-operate with them, even though myself and social services, did everything that they asked. Was told, that I wasn?t around. Was sitting in the bedroom, listening to what was going on because I was making notes to report them to the CQC for undue care.Also, carers would whisper when I was around, so that I couldn?t hear what was being said.We explained, my parents are deaf and disabled. None of the carers took note of this, they would ignore that fact and they would yell at my elderly father for not having things done, when it was advised things were written down so he could understand. Also, there were complaints my father was inappropriate with them, he thought, they were joking with him as he a joking person, but they took that all wrong and put it down that he was inappropriately touching them. Had complaints about dogs being aggressive and in the way, we tried to help by putting dogs outside and I would take them upstairs in evening, so things would be done. Tried to do everything they wanted, but I am mentally unwell myself, which I did explain, but that wasn?t enough for them.Their care plans are all on their phones and you do not get to see the plans, also the care book that they provide doesn?t give you any information about care plans either, so you don?t know what?s going on.Had to get district nurses out multiple times because catheters had been pulled and signs of UTI?s. Also, they were giving mum, cups of tea which she isn?t allowed which was causing constant sediment. And on multiple occasions, I?ve had to sort her out as they hadn?t done their job properly.Also, was told, I?d had a meeting with their Manager, but I didn?t. This meeting never existed, I had a meeting with someone further down the ranks. And don?t read into the reviews, most are left by staff and not by people that have dealt with them.Don?t believe the patronising lies that they will tell you to your face.Some of the carers are lovely and kind, I have no issues with them and greatly appreciate the work that they did with mum, it?s such a shame they work for such a terrible company.CQC will be getting a full complaint and report from myself about this company and how they deal with clientele. Also, complaints will be made to Braintree council and to local MP
November 2020 by Hattie Ord
Shocking would not recommend. Don't know how to look after elderly, leave an elderly man without food or drink. Spoken to management numerous times and nothing changes. Then try to give a months notice to take care of them myself and they say they won't come back so now left without care.
November 2020 by Jenna
Quality of care at an extremely low standard, cannot be trusted to fulfil correct needs. Basic care and jobs were not carried out, leaving severe complications for elderly service user.
November 2020 by Ismet Kestek
This company are very professional,they are all good carers,they do what the care plan says,unlike the previous company we had!.
November 2016 by Gloria Farrant
We have just started using this Agency since my paraplegic husband came out of hospital. To say we are impressed is an understatement. The young ladies that have been to care for my husband are, kind, courteous, extremely caring, gentle and VERY efficient. Thank you ladies for making this difficult time so much easier.
