Dementia Care Home

Ashgrove House

63 Station Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 4AJ

Nursing homes

At a Glance

The information you need to decide whether this home warrants a closer look.

DCC Family Score
81/ 100
Weighted from family reviews
Dementia SpecialismConfirmed

Nursing homes

Families Rate The Staff85 / 100

Staff warmth score

“Well Looked After”80%

of reviewers answered yes

Good to know

  • Registered beds35
  • SpecialismsCaring for adults over 65 yrs, Caring for adults under 65 yrs, Dementia, Physical disabilities
  • Last inspected2018-11-06

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The Evidence

What the review data, the inspection reports, and the dementia-care evidence base tell us about this home.

Section 01

What families say

Families talk about finding staff who are approachable and welcoming whenever they visit. There's a real sense that residents can pursue activities they enjoy, with regular entertainment and things to do that keep days interesting and engaging.

The eight family priority themes

  • Staff warmth85
  • Compassion & dignity87
  • Cleanliness72
  • Activities & engagement80
  • Food quality70
  • Healthcare85
  • Management & leadership88
  • Resident happiness80
Section 02

What inspectors found

Inspected 2018-11-06

  • Is this home safe?

    Good
    The Safe domain was rated Good at the November 2020 inspection. This means inspectors were satisfied that people who live here were protected from avoidable harm and that medicines, infection control, and staffing arrangements met the required standard. A Good rating in this domain is a positive finding, though it did not reach the Outstanding threshold awarded to the other four domains. The published summary does not provide specific detail about night staffing numbers, agency use, or how the home logs and responds to falls and incidents.
    Verified by inspector
  • Is the care effective?

    Outstanding
    The Effective domain was rated Outstanding at the November 2020 inspection. This is the highest rating available and indicates inspectors found strong evidence that staff had the knowledge, training, and skills to meet the needs of the people who live here. For a home specialising in dementia and nursing care, this rating covers the quality of care planning, dementia-specific training, healthcare coordination, and how the home monitors and responds to changes in health. The published summary does not include specific detail about the content of dementia training or how care plans are reviewed.
    Verified by inspector
  • Is this home caring?

    Outstanding
    The Caring domain was rated Outstanding at the November 2020 inspection. This is the highest possible rating and indicates inspectors found consistent, specific evidence that staff treated the people who live here with genuine kindness, respect, and dignity. An Outstanding Caring rating requires inspectors to observe interactions directly, not just review paperwork. It also typically reflects feedback from residents and relatives gathered during the inspection. The published summary does not include specific quotes or named observations from the inspection visit.
    Verified by inspectorResident testimony recorded
  • Is the home responsive?

    Outstanding
    The Responsive domain was rated Outstanding at the November 2020 inspection. This rating covers how well the home tailors its care and activities to individuals, how it handles complaints, and how it supports people at the end of life. For a home that includes people with dementia, responsiveness also includes how staff adapt their approach when someone's needs or behaviour changes. The published summary does not provide specific detail about the activity programme, one-to-one engagement, or end-of-life care arrangements.
    Verified by inspector
  • Is the home well-led?

    Outstanding
    The Well-led domain was rated Outstanding at the November 2020 inspection. This is the highest rating available and indicates inspectors found strong evidence of effective leadership, a positive staff culture, and robust systems for monitoring quality and acting on concerns. An Outstanding Well-led rating requires evidence that the manager is visible and known to residents and staff, that staff feel supported to raise concerns, and that the home actively learns from incidents and complaints. The inspection took place in November 2020 and the registered manager at that time was Mrs Michelle Lisa McKeever.
    Verified by inspector
  • Source: CQC inspection report →

    Section 03

    What the evidence base says

    The home cares for adults both under and over 65, including those living with dementia and physical disabilities. For residents living with dementia, the team's person-centred approach means they take time to learn what helps each individual feel comfortable and engaged. All areas worth probing directly during a visit.

The DCC Verdict

Our editorial view, built from the three lenses: what families tell us, what inspectors record, and how the home sits against good dementia-care practice.

81/ 100

DCC Family Score

Ashgrove House Nursing Home holds an Outstanding overall rating, with four of five domains rated Outstanding and one rated Good. The score reflects strong evidence of person-centred care, effective healthcare, and visible leadership, tempered by the age of the inspection (last conducted in November 2020) and limited specific detail available in the published summary.

Homes in South West typically score 68–82.

The three-lens summary

Lens 01

What families tell us

Families talk about finding staff who are approachable and welcoming whenever they visit. There's a real sense that residents can pursue activities they enjoy, with regular entertainment and things to do that keep days interesting and engaging.

Lens 02

What inspectors have recorded

What stands out is how available staff are — families mention being able to find team members easily when they need them. There's a pattern of staff taking time to understand what works for each resident and adjusting their approach accordingly.

Lens 03

How it sits against good practice

It's worth visiting to see if their approach to individualised care feels right for your loved one.

DCC Recommendation

Worth a visit

Ashgrove House Nursing Home at 63 Station Road, Swindon holds an Outstanding overall rating from its last published inspection, conducted in November 2020. Four of five domains were rated Outstanding, covering the quality of care, staff practices, activities, and leadership. Only the Safe domain was rated Good, which remains a positive finding. The home is registered for 35 people and specialises in dementia, physical disabilities, and nursing care for both older and younger adults. The most important caveat for your decision is that the inspection took place in November 2020, more than four years ago. A review in July 2023 found no reason to change the rating, but that review was based on data rather than a fresh visit. A lot can change in a care home over four years, including staff turnover, occupancy levels, and management stability. When you visit, ask specifically how many of the staff team from 2020 are still working there, whether the registered manager has changed, and request to see a recent staffing rota showing permanent versus agency cover on both day and night shifts.

The three questions to ask when you visit

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In Their Own Words

How Ashgrove House describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.

What Ashgrove House says about itself

Where thoughtful care meets individual needs in Swindon

Nursing home in Swindon: True Peace of Mind

When families describe a care home where staff genuinely listen and adapt to what residents need, it catches your attention. Ashgrove House Nursing Home in Swindon seems to understand that good care starts with really knowing each person. The consistent presence of staff throughout the day means someone's always there when needed.

Care & specialisms

Who they care for

    The home cares for adults both under and over 65, including those living with dementia and physical disabilities.

    How they describe their dementia care

    For residents living with dementia, the team's person-centred approach means they take time to learn what helps each individual feel comfortable and engaged.

    “It's worth visiting to see if their approach to individualised care feels right for your loved one.”

    DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.

    Free download – Dementia Stage 4

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    Related:

    What Real Families Say About Dementia Care Homes: The Eight Things That Matter Most

    A Which? Report for Care Homes: Real Family Reviews, Not Just Official Inspections

    Step-by-Step Guide to Finding a Care Home for Your Mum in the UK

    What Does 'Dementia Specialist' Actually Mean? How to Tell If a Care Home Really Is One

    Best UK Website for Comparing Dementia Care Homes (Beyond CQC Ratings)

    Dementia care gifts that help

    The Thoughtful Gift That Makes a Difficult Day Easier

    The things that make the greatest difference to someone living with dementia are rarely the most obvious ones. They are the things that ease the day — that give a carer a moment to breathe, or give the person they care for a moment of calm or quiet joy. Every item here was chosen because it works, and because it reduces stress for everyone in the room.

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    Digital Photoframe

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