Martins House
At a Glance
The information you need to decide whether this home warrants a closer look.
Residential homes
Staff warmth score
of reviewers answered yes
Good to know
- Registered beds60
- SpecialismsCaring for adults over 65 yrs, Caring for adults under 65 yrs, Dementia
- Last inspected2018-10-19
The Evidence
What the review data, the inspection reports, and the dementia-care evidence base tell us about this home.
What families say
Families talk about seeing their loved ones looking genuinely happy and content here. There's a real sense that residents feel emotionally secure, which shows in how well they settle in. People mention the warmth and kindness they experience from the moment they arrive.
The eight family priority themes
- Staff warmth72
- Compassion & dignity72
- Cleanliness70
- Activities & engagement85
- Food quality65
- Healthcare68
- Management & leadership72
- Resident happiness75
What inspectors found
Inspected 2018-10-19
Is this home safe?
Is the care effective?
Effective was rated Good, indicating that inspectors were satisfied with training, care planning, healthcare access, and nutritional support. The published text does not include specific detail about dementia training content, GP visit frequency, or how care plans are reviewed with families. For a home that lists dementia as a specialism, the absence of specific training detail in the summary is worth querying directly.Is this home caring?
Caring was rated Good, which means inspectors were satisfied that staff treated people with respect, maintained privacy, and supported independence where possible. The published summary does not reproduce specific observations such as whether staff knocked before entering rooms, used preferred names, or moved without rushing. No concerns about dignity or warmth were recorded.Is the home responsive?
Responsive was rated Outstanding, the strongest possible inspection rating and the clearest signal in this report. Inspectors award Outstanding only when they find consistent, specific evidence that a home tailors its approach to each individual rather than applying a generic routine. This rating covers activities, how the home responds to changing needs, complaints handling, and end-of-life care. The published summary does not reproduce the specific evidence that earned this rating, which is a limitation given the inspection's age.Is the home well-led?
Well-led was rated Good. The registered manager is Julie Ann Churchill and the nominated individual is Sunil Cheekoory. The organisation running the home is GCH (Hertfordshire) Ltd. The published text does not describe the manager's visibility, how long she has been in post, or what governance systems are in place. Good Well-led ratings require evidence of learning from incidents and a culture where staff feel able to raise concerns.
Source: CQC inspection report →
What the evidence base says
Martins House cares for adults both under and over 65, with particular expertise in supporting people living with dementia. They also provide respite care when families need temporary support. The team has developed real expertise in dementia care, understanding how to support residents through the different stages of their journey. They focus on maintaining dignity and quality of life for each person. 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
Martins House scores well overall, lifted by its Outstanding rating for responsiveness, which signals the home goes beyond the basics in keeping your parent engaged and treated as an individual. Most other areas are rated Good but the inspection report contains limited specific detail, so several scores reflect the rating rather than rich observed evidence.
Homes in East typically score 68–82.The three-lens summary
What families tell us
Families talk about seeing their loved ones looking genuinely happy and content here. There's a real sense that residents feel emotionally secure, which shows in how well they settle in. People mention the warmth and kindness they experience from the moment they arrive.
What inspectors have recorded
The leadership team makes themselves available and approachable to families and residents alike. Staff are consistently described as compassionate and attentive, responding quickly when residents need support. There's a strong focus on creating a safe environment where people can recover and find stability, especially after hospital stays.
How it sits against good practice
If you'd like to see how Martins House could support your family, getting in touch for a chat might be your next step.
Worth a visit
Martins House on Jessop Road in Stevenage was rated Good overall at its last inspection in July 2018, with one domain, Responsive, rated Outstanding. That Outstanding rating is significant: inspectors only award it when they find consistent, specific evidence that the home treats each person as an individual rather than following a one-size-fits-all routine. The home cares for up to 60 people, including adults living with dementia and those under 65, and is run by GCH (Hertfordshire) Ltd with Julie Ann Churchill as registered manager. The main limitation of this report is its age. The inspection took place in July 2018, and while a monitoring review in July 2023 found no reason to change the rating, that review was a desk-based check of data rather than a physical visit. A lot can change in a care home over six years, including management, staffing, and culture. Before deciding, ask the manager what has changed since 2018, request to see recent family satisfaction surveys, and spend time in the home during a visit to observe staff interactions and the activity programme for yourself.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
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In Their Own Words
How Martins House describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Where kindness meets professional care every single day
Dedicated residential home Support in Stevenage
When you're looking for somewhere that genuinely cares about your loved one's happiness and security, Martins House in Stevenage has built something special. This care home has created an environment where residents feel truly settled and families find the reassurance they need. The team here understands that moving into care is a huge step, and they work hard to make that transition as smooth as possible.
Who they care for
Martins House cares for adults both under and over 65, with particular expertise in supporting people living with dementia. They also provide respite care when families need temporary support.
The team has developed real expertise in dementia care, understanding how to support residents through the different stages of their journey. They focus on maintaining dignity and quality of life for each person.
“If you'd like to see how Martins House could support your family, getting in touch for a chat might be your next step.”
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
Martins House scores well overall, lifted by its Outstanding rating for responsiveness, which signals the home goes beyond the basics in keeping your parent engaged and treated as an individual. Most other areas are rated Good but the inspection report contains limited specific detail, so several scores reflect the rating rather than rich observed evidence.
Homes in East typically score 68–82.The three-lens summary
What families tell us
Families talk about seeing their loved ones looking genuinely happy and content here. There's a real sense that residents feel emotionally secure, which shows in how well they settle in. People mention the warmth and kindness they experience from the moment they arrive.
What inspectors have recorded
The leadership team makes themselves available and approachable to families and residents alike. Staff are consistently described as compassionate and attentive, responding quickly when residents need support. There's a strong focus on creating a safe environment where people can recover and find stability, especially after hospital stays.
How it sits against good practice
If you'd like to see how Martins House could support your family, getting in touch for a chat might be your next step.
Worth a visit
Martins House on Jessop Road in Stevenage was rated Good overall at its last inspection in July 2018, with one domain, Responsive, rated Outstanding. That Outstanding rating is significant: inspectors only award it when they find consistent, specific evidence that the home treats each person as an individual rather than following a one-size-fits-all routine. The home cares for up to 60 people, including adults living with dementia and those under 65, and is run by GCH (Hertfordshire) Ltd with Julie Ann Churchill as registered manager. The main limitation of this report is its age. The inspection took place in July 2018, and while a monitoring review in July 2023 found no reason to change the rating, that review was a desk-based check of data rather than a physical visit. A lot can change in a care home over six years, including management, staffing, and culture. Before deciding, ask the manager what has changed since 2018, request to see recent family satisfaction surveys, and spend time in the home during a visit to observe staff interactions and the activity programme for yourself.
The three questions to ask when you visitSave this home. Compare it against your shortlist.
Let our analysis show you how Martins House measures up against the other homes you’re considering. Free account.
In Their Own Words
How Martins House describes itself — collected from its own website. DCC has not edited or independently verified the content in this tab.
Where kindness meets professional care every single day
Dedicated residential home Support in Stevenage
When you're looking for somewhere that genuinely cares about your loved one's happiness and security, Martins House in Stevenage has built something special. This care home has created an environment where residents feel truly settled and families find the reassurance they need. The team here understands that moving into care is a huge step, and they work hard to make that transition as smooth as possible.
Who they care for
Martins House cares for adults both under and over 65, with particular expertise in supporting people living with dementia. They also provide respite care when families need temporary support.
The team has developed real expertise in dementia care, understanding how to support residents through the different stages of their journey. They focus on maintaining dignity and quality of life for each person.
Management & ethos
The leadership team makes themselves available and approachable to families and residents alike. Staff are consistently described as compassionate and attentive, responding quickly when residents need support. There's a strong focus on creating a safe environment where people can recover and find stability, especially after hospital stays.
The home & environment
The home is kept spotless and well-maintained throughout. Everything feels fresh and clean, which families really appreciate when they visit. The physical environment supports residents' comfort and wellbeing in all the right ways.
“If you'd like to see how Martins House could support your family, getting in touch for a chat might be your next step.”
DCC does not edit or curate content in this tab. For independently curated information, see The Evidence and DCC Verdict.
