Lynden Hill Clinic

PART 2 OF 2-The opposite side of this same card has a large photograph spanning the top. Light pink and bright pink hydrangeas are to the right of the photo, and along the walkway on the left one can see a plethora of beautiful plantings along a tall stone wall. Another advertisement, the Clinic's 8 page booklet, which was presented to me at the hospital, shows the very same patient mentioned in PART 1 of this review walking under a wooden structure with abundant plantings. On this same page, the outdoor sign on a brick structure with white roof has a nicely arranged variety of green vines and pink flowers. Neither of these structures exist today. Within the booklet is a section entitled, "The Grounds". All the photographs on this page and the one facing it have pink flowers. There is a distance shot that was taken from above, showing several sets of the the wooden structures...they appear to be archways...there are flowers lining the walkway. None of these are there, in 2019 Judging from the size of one attractive evergreen in this photograph, I believe a spruce, these photos were taken at least 10 years ago. I have photographs of the weeds and overgrown beds along the former walled garden wall. I have photographs of uneven asphalt surfaces in the walkway that formerly served under the wooden archways. I even have a photograph of a patch of broken and crumbling asphalt where the walkway meets the driveway. This is false advertising in the fullest. The Lynden Hill Clinic needs some tender loving care outside.
Original Comment Report...

PART 1 OF 2 PARTS I stayed at Lynden Hill Clinic for 2 weeks after a serious fall and detachment of my hamstring. Prior to arrival I had been hospitalized for 1 week. There were some nurses I found simply wonderful, with a couple so bright and cheery it made my time there bearable. Others, and there were only a couple, were less caring. The facility is renovating rooms with new paint (a lovely soft sage green). A few rooms I passed by on my way to physical therapy were being painted that green, a far improvement over the light pink and bright pink walls. I found the food adequate, the physical therapy staff great (and that is what was most important to me) and I loved the combination of hydrotherapy in the morning with a regular physical therapy session in the afternoon, but there are a few things that were disconcerting. The clinic boats of the "holistic and conventional methods of recovery through both traditional and holistic treatments" The range goes from Colonic Irrigation to Hopi Ear Candles to Reiki and a variety of massages. Manicures and pedicures, hair wash and blowouts are available. My stay incorporated the Summer Bank Holiday, and i was disappointed their main employee was going on vacation the second week of my stay. I'm thinking she did all but the hair appointments (which I did avail myself of, not having the strength to blow dry my hair) because I could not book any other services. I would have thought the clinic would have provided someone else for coverage. The 3rd day of my stay I was given a booking with the Occupational Therapist. She and I exchanged some basic pleasantries then she said, "I don't know what help I can be to you." I found that to be incredibly unprofessional. Less than 5 days earlier I was unable to get out of my hospital bed, unable to even go to the toilet, due to my injuries. So, I had many questions, and I was feeling very uncomfortable. She basically rolled her eyes when I told her that I would like to rent a hospital bed for my flat. Her response? “What’s wrong with using a few pillows?“ And she told me that she was afraid to give me the catalog of the medical equipment rental place lest I go crazy. I stared at her rather icily and said, “now what other items do you think I would be interested in?” However, my biggest complaint was how the GROUNDS were portrayed in the brochure and online, and what I came upon in reality. There is a double sided card entitled, "Lynden Hill Clinic-The Perfect Environment for Recovery" which has a photograph captioned, "First Class Care" of an attendant walking alongside a patient with tall hollyhock spires behind them, and a large lavender colored plant in the foreground. These plantings no longer exist. I have photographs of the (former) plant beds beneath the outside patio which are nothing more now than large areas of wood chips.
Original Comment Report...

I stayed for a week in September 2017 following hip surgery. Having never been in hospital before, surgery and all the drugs etc came as a nasty shock to me and I felt very vulnerable. The 24/7 care at Lynden Hill quickly alleviated my concern at discharge from hospital. The communal approach to mealtimes had also daunted me, but I quickly found the benefit of gently getting to know the other patients who were going through exactly the same as me. Everyone supported and encouraged one another. On the other hand, the property is in a rural setting away from the rest of the world - which was reassuring - visitors wouldn't be arriving unannounced! It's a gentle 'one-day-at-a-time' approach that works very well. The staff were all excellent, from the waiters to the therapists to the office staff and the gardener - all caring and kind and friendly. They do all the thinking for you, which is just as well given how befuddled the brain is after surgery! They ensure you get your meds as required and that you get to your therapy appointments. The place is in a lovely setting, with safe gardens and rural views - it's good to get some fresh air once feeling strong enough. Staff will accompany you if you feel unsteady. Furnishings and decor are very old-fashioned, but all is clean and well-maintained. Think Agatha Christie setting. Three pleasant meals a day, plus afternoon tea with cake. Excelent physio and hydrotherapy areas, as well as a small spa. No hesitation in recommending this place for post-op care before going home.
Original Comment Report...