Fernhill Dementia Home
At a Glance
The information you need to decide whether this home warrants a closer look.
Nursing homes
Staff warmth score
of reviewers answered yes
Good to know
- Registered beds58
- SpecialismsCaring for adults over 65 yrs, Caring for adults under 65 yrs, Dementia
- Last inspected2019-10-31
The Evidence
What the review data, the inspection reports, and the dementia-care evidence base tell us about this home.
What families say
The eight family priority themes
- Staff warmth88
- Compassion & dignity90
- Cleanliness72
- Activities & engagement82
- Food quality68
- Healthcare72
- Management & leadership88
- Resident happiness80
What inspectors found
Inspected 2019-10-31
Is this home safe?
Is the care effective?
The effective domain was rated Good at the August 2019 inspection. This domain covers training, care planning, access to healthcare professionals, and food. A Good rating indicates inspectors were satisfied that staff had the knowledge and skills to meet residents' needs. The home lists dementia as a specialism, which implies some dementia-specific training provision. The published summary does not record specific details about care plan content, GP access arrangements, or food quality.Is this home caring?
The caring domain was rated Outstanding at the August 2019 inspection. This is the highest possible rating and covers staff warmth, dignity, respect for privacy, and support for independence. An Outstanding rating in this domain means inspectors found compelling evidence that staff genuinely cared for the people living here, going beyond basic compliance. The published summary does not reproduce the specific observations or quotes that led to this rating, but the domain score itself is a strong signal.Is the home responsive?
The responsive domain was rated Outstanding at the August 2019 inspection. This domain covers how well the home tailors care and activities to individual needs, including for people with dementia who may not be able to express their preferences clearly. An Outstanding rating here indicates inspectors found strong, specific evidence of personalised activity provision, individual care planning, and good end-of-life support. The published summary does not describe the specific activities, individual engagement approaches, or end-of-life practices that earned this rating.Is the home well-led?
The well-led domain was rated Outstanding at the August 2019 inspection. This domain covers management culture, governance, staff empowerment, and the home's ability to learn from mistakes and improve. An Outstanding rating here indicates inspectors found confident, visible leadership and a culture in which staff felt supported to raise concerns and act in residents' best interests. The registered manager at the time of inspection was Lorraine Francis Bell. The published summary does not record whether this manager remains in post.
Source: CQC inspection report →
What the evidence base says
The team at Fernhill brings together experience in supporting both younger adults under 65 and older residents. Their dementia care approach means they understand the unique challenges families face when memory and cognitive changes affect daily life. For those living with dementia, Fernhill offers specialised care that adapts to each person's changing needs. The home supports residents through different stages of their dementia journey, providing both structure and flexibility as required. 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.
DCC Family Score
Fernhill earned an Outstanding overall rating with three domains rated Outstanding, reflecting strong evidence of warm, person-centred care and confident leadership. However, the inspection took place in August 2019 and the published findings contain limited specific detail on several areas, so some scores reflect the strength of the rating rather than granular inspection evidence.
Homes in South West typically score 68–82.Worth a visit
Fernhill, at 122 Ringwood Road in Ferndown, was rated Outstanding at its inspection in August 2019, having improved from a previous rating of Good. Inspectors awarded Outstanding ratings in three of the five domains: caring, responsive, and well-led. This places Fernhill among a small minority of care homes in England to have achieved this overall rating. The home is registered to care for 58 people, including adults with dementia, and is run by Colten Care (2009) Limited under a named registered manager. The most important caveat for you as a family is that this inspection took place in August 2019, more than five years before the date of this report. A desk-based review in July 2023 found no reason to reassess the rating, but the home has not been re-inspected since. A lot can change in five years, including staffing, management, and the physical environment. When you visit, ask specifically about staff turnover since 2019, whether the registered manager is still in post, and request to see the activity schedule and the staffing rota for a recent week. Outstanding ratings reflect what was found on one day; your visit will tell you what the home is like now.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how Fernhill Dementia Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How Fernhill Dementia Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Specialist dementia support for adults of all ages in Ferndown
Nursing home in Ferndown: True Peace of Mind
When someone you love needs specialist care, finding the right place matters deeply. Fernhill in Ferndown provides residential support for adults both under and over 65, with particular expertise in dementia care. The home welcomes people at different stages of life who need professional, compassionate support.
Who they care for
The team at Fernhill brings together experience in supporting both younger adults under 65 and older residents. Their dementia care approach means they understand the unique challenges families face when memory and cognitive changes affect daily life.
For those living with dementia, Fernhill offers specialised care that adapts to each person's changing needs. The home supports residents through different stages of their dementia journey, providing both structure and flexibility as required.
“If you'd like to learn more about how Fernhill supports residents with dementia and complex needs, arranging a visit can help you get a real feel for the home.”
DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.
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.
DCC Family Score
Fernhill earned an Outstanding overall rating with three domains rated Outstanding, reflecting strong evidence of warm, person-centred care and confident leadership. However, the inspection took place in August 2019 and the published findings contain limited specific detail on several areas, so some scores reflect the strength of the rating rather than granular inspection evidence.
Homes in South West typically score 68–82.Worth a visit
Fernhill, at 122 Ringwood Road in Ferndown, was rated Outstanding at its inspection in August 2019, having improved from a previous rating of Good. Inspectors awarded Outstanding ratings in three of the five domains: caring, responsive, and well-led. This places Fernhill among a small minority of care homes in England to have achieved this overall rating. The home is registered to care for 58 people, including adults with dementia, and is run by Colten Care (2009) Limited under a named registered manager. The most important caveat for you as a family is that this inspection took place in August 2019, more than five years before the date of this report. A desk-based review in July 2023 found no reason to reassess the rating, but the home has not been re-inspected since. A lot can change in five years, including staffing, management, and the physical environment. When you visit, ask specifically about staff turnover since 2019, whether the registered manager is still in post, and request to see the activity schedule and the staffing rota for a recent week. Outstanding ratings reflect what was found on one day; your visit will tell you what the home is like now.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how Fernhill Dementia Home measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How Fernhill Dementia Home describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Specialist dementia support for adults of all ages in Ferndown
Nursing home in Ferndown: True Peace of Mind
When someone you love needs specialist care, finding the right place matters deeply. Fernhill in Ferndown provides residential support for adults both under and over 65, with particular expertise in dementia care. The home welcomes people at different stages of life who need professional, compassionate support.
Who they care for
The team at Fernhill brings together experience in supporting both younger adults under 65 and older residents. Their dementia care approach means they understand the unique challenges families face when memory and cognitive changes affect daily life.
For those living with dementia, Fernhill offers specialised care that adapts to each person's changing needs. The home supports residents through different stages of their dementia journey, providing both structure and flexibility as required.
“If you'd like to learn more about how Fernhill supports residents with dementia and complex needs, arranging a visit can help you get a real feel for the home.”
DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.
