The Bridge | Elysium Healthcare - Middlesbrough

Helen M.

Following a stroke my dad has been a patient at The Bridge for five months and the care he has received throughout that time has been second to none. The staff are lovely, taking pains to learn Dad's likes and dislikes in order to make him as comfortable and content as possible. They are always happy to chat to me or my sister when we call, and keep us updated on Dad's progress/general health/what he has eaten, etc... On visits we are always warmly welcomed. From what I have witnessed, I would say that staff genuinely care about their patients. The physiotherapy has been very beneficial. Aside from care, The Bridge is clean and nicely decorated: it's light and bright - an uplifting environment, with great views in all directions (especially of The Transporter!). Other than a roof terrace and small garden there's not much in the way of outdoor space/greenery for patients but what there is seems to be well-used and you can take patients (who are able) out for walks in the area, which is quiet and relatively free from traffic. All in all, it is nice to know that my dad is in such good hands.

Iain V.

I would like to thank all the staff for their continued delivery of fantastic care. I have received some lovely feedback from many of our residents and their families. The choir is going really well with the residents thoroughly enjoying the sessions along with the relaxation and audio groups. Thank you to the therapy team I am looking forward to seeing some of our residents going home after achieving their rehab goals, some of whom came to us straight from critical care at james cook. The hydrotherapy sessions are working really well and we are seeing such positive results for the residents.

Kath H.

I would not let any family or friends go here. I was a patient here, at first everything was fine they were doing physio and I was even able to manage to walk a little again, unfortunately the physio left and since then I have just been left to get worse the new physio was lazy and would only be in for half a day most of the time most staff not all of them leave patients in the communal room watching TV and I have even witnessed them being confrontational and making fun of patients who can not respond. Ad they never really took me out as well when

Tom J.

I Wouldn't allow any of my family to stay in such a horrible place. Medication is giving out by health care assistants that think they are seniors but they haven't even had enough training.

I do not know how the staff dare leave false reviews on here saying how wonderful this place is and how they have a full time Physiotherapist for a so called rehabilitation centre you will be lucky if the Physiotherapist is there for half a day.

Most staff are either on their phones, or just stood around talking at the nurses station. There is a 'activities board' in the common room that the centre says they so with residents the only problem is they do not do activities with residents. From what I have seen the reviews on here that state residents are left in the common room are true some residents are also just left in their rooms all day.

I would strongly advise everyone not to send loved ones to this place if you want them to improve and recover.

Julie H.

From a recent resident that used the Bridge in Middlesbrough
I recently spent some time with you after suffering a stroke. I am sending this email to say thank you to all the staff for the devoted and special care I received during my stay. There are some special people there and you all deserve a thank you. Julie, Linda, Cas, Alison, thanks for making me welcome from day one,I won’t forget that as I make my recovery from this awful interruption of my life. I am progressing well at home and now have my independence back. I will try and call in to see you all once we get over the Covid issue. Once again thank you all so much for your professionalism and support, I am feeling much better now and my physio is going really well.

Elizabeth T.

It a NOT a good care home at all. All style over substance. Is very nice to look at and has some good facilities but the respite care of my mother was well below par. When I went too collect her she was very weak and poorly to the point that I had to call the emergency doctor who said she was in heart failure and she had very swollen legs etc etc it took two weeks of love and Proper care From me to build her back up to the condition she was in before she went there. I spoke to them in a number occasions about their failings and was just fobbed off and received a nasty letter from them saying The issue was closed I was so sad and felt so guilty for putting her in there for ten days Horrible staff Who lie and are lazy and horrible company. Never ever again ... I would not even Let them look after a pot plant

Alwyn H.

I have read the negative reviews with interest. I would like to give an alternative perspective. My husband is currently at 'The Bridge' after quite radical and recent neurological decline (physically and cognitively). He is also 8.5 years post brain injury. It is a tough experience watching a loved one with a neurological condition and often 'rehabilitation' is a word misunderstood to purely mean 'physio' which is not the case. In my husband's case, rehabilitation is a variety of both complex and very basic things across a wide spectrum of physical, emotional, cognitive & behavioural deficits. He is also (due to his brain injury) verbally aggressive and not the easiest person to encourage & manage. It is also worth noting (in his case) that 'timely intervention' is key in a neurorehabilitation environment and it would be counter productive to over stimulate with activities and input throughout the day.

Over the last 8.5 years, I have witnessed my husband being part of various 'neuro' settings as an inpatient, an outpatient, in the community & private services. I have never felt more included and part of our 'brain injury journey' than I do with the team at 'The Bridge'. The staff have welcomed my views and knowledge of his condition - and, where appropriate, offered me theirs...which has been immensely valuable.

He has had positive input from Physio, Occupational Therapy (OT), Psychology, Speech & Language (SALT) - but also the input from the nursing team, HCAs (even the chef) has been helpful and have shown obvious care. This is all despite the fact that he is not easy to deal with most days.

Is he in the gym daily - no. Is he improving radically - no. Might this be as good as it gets - yes. But I believe the staff are collectively focused on doing their utmost to ensure that he has a better probability of achieving what can be achieved.

Crucially, my husband is happy in a safe & caring environment and showing signs of improvement - particularly in his confidence to try and do things independently (something that he was stripped of in hospital prior to him coming to the Bridge).

To date - I would rate positively on communication, care, compassion, proactive feedback, attitude, support, skills, knowledge & expertise - not least managing difficult neuro-behaviour - also in relation to his dignity, needs and rehab potential.

Normally I do not write reviews (good or bad) - however, I have done so because our experience of the Bridge and I believe the team warrants a positive review.

Scott B.

I have a very complex neurological condition, which is very difficult to manage...However, I have stayed as a resident on FOUR occasions as EVERYONE (from the management to and including, domestic staff, but CARERS in particular) BOTH agency & HCA nursing team were ALWAYS very supporting whilst still allowing me to have the independence I WANTED. I would HIGHLY recommend this neurology centre to ANYONE who wishes to have BOTH excellent support, yet cater for any independence you may wish to have! Not only do they provide this in abundance, there is clearly NO judgement or disrespect regarding my (or ANYONES) difficult conditions & even provide you with specific requirements (such as a specific diet for example), the staff are ALWAYS available for various activities & therapy to keep you occupied!