Dementia Care Home

Old Station House

Old Station Yard, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3US

Residential homes

At a Glance

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

DCC Family Score
66/ 100
Weighted from family reviews
Dementia SpecialismConfirmed

Residential homes

Families Rate The Staff55 / 100

Staff warmth score

“Well Looked After”55%

of reviewers answered yes

Good to know

  • Registered beds43
  • SpecialismsCaring for adults over 65 yrs, Dementia
  • Last inspected2019-12-19

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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 visiting Old Station House consistently mention how friendly and welcoming the staff are. The carers take time to chat with visitors and create a relaxed atmosphere that helps everyone feel at ease. The home runs structured activities that give residents things to look forward to throughout the week.

The eight family priority themes

  • Staff warmth55
  • Compassion & dignity60
  • Cleanliness55
  • Activities & engagement50
  • Food quality50
  • Healthcare55
  • Management & leadership65
  • Resident happiness55
Section 02

What inspectors found

Inspected 2019-12-19

  • Is this home safe?

    Requires improvement
    Safety was rated Requires Improvement at the February 2022 inspection. The published summary does not explain which specific concerns led to this rating. The home cares for 43 people, including those living with dementia, a group where safety risks such as falls, medication errors, and responses to distress are particularly significant. A subsequent review of information in July 2023 found no evidence requiring a change to the rating. The reasons behind the original Requires Improvement finding are not described in the text available.
    Verified by inspector
  • Is the care effective?

    Good
    The Effective domain was rated Good at the February 2022 inspection. This domain covers training, care planning, healthcare access, and nutrition. The published inspection text does not include specific observations, resident testimony, or examples that explain what the inspectors found. A Good rating in this domain typically requires evidence that staff have appropriate training, that care plans reflect individual needs, and that healthcare professionals are involved appropriately.
    Verified by inspector
  • Is this home caring?

    Good
    The Caring domain was rated Good at the February 2022 inspection. This domain covers staff warmth, dignity, respect, and independence. The published inspection text does not include any specific observations, quotes from residents or relatives, or examples of caring interactions. A Good rating here is encouraging but the absence of supporting detail means families cannot form a picture of what day-to-day interactions look like.
    Verified by inspectorResident testimony recorded
  • Is the home responsive?

    Good
    The Responsive domain was rated Good at the February 2022 inspection. This domain covers activities, individual engagement, and how well the home responds to changing needs. The published inspection text does not include specific examples of activities provided, evidence of individual engagement plans, or descriptions of how the home adapts to residents' changing preferences. A Good rating is positive but cannot be verified from the available text.
    Verified by inspector
  • Is the home well-led?

    Good
    The Well-led domain was rated Good at the February 2022 inspection. The home has a named registered manager, Sharon Lesley Tatum, and a nominated individual, James Norman Robson. It is operated by The Orders of St. John Care Trust, a not-for-profit provider with a substantial presence across the south of England. The published inspection text does not include specific examples of leadership practices, staff culture observations, or governance processes. A Good rating suggests inspectors were satisfied with oversight and accountability.
    Verified by inspector
  • Source: CQC inspection report →

    Section 03

    What the evidence base says

    The home provides specialist dementia care alongside general support for older adults. Their team understands the unique challenges families face when a loved one needs memory care. For residents living with dementia, the structured activities programme helps maintain routine and engagement. The friendly, patient approach of carers creates reassurance during what can be confusing times. 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.

66/ 100

DCC Family Score

The overall Good rating is encouraging, but the Requires Improvement in Safety pulls the family score down. The published inspection text contains very little specific observational detail, which limits confidence across most themes.

Homes in South East typically score 68–82.

The three-lens summary

Lens 01

What families tell us

Families visiting Old Station House consistently mention how friendly and welcoming the staff are. The carers take time to chat with visitors and create a relaxed atmosphere that helps everyone feel at ease. The home runs structured activities that give residents things to look forward to throughout the week.

Lens 02

What inspectors have recorded

While the caring approach of staff shines through, some families have found the entry system frustrating. Unlike some other homes, there's no entry code for relatives, which means waiting for staff to let you in or out each time you visit.

Lens 03

How it sits against good practice

If you're considering Old Station House, it's worth asking about their visitor access arrangements to understand how they'll work for your family's needs.

DCC Recommendation

Worth a visit

OSJCT Old Station House in Abingdon holds an overall Good rating from its most recent inspection, which took place in February 2022 and was published the same month. Four of the five inspection domains, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led, were rated Good. The home is run by The Orders of St. John Care Trust, a large not-for-profit provider, and has a named registered manager in post. It cares for up to 43 people, with a specialism in dementia and older adults. The single most important uncertainty here is the Requires Improvement rating for Safety, and the published inspection text provides almost no detail about what underpinned any of the ratings. That means families cannot rely on this report alone to understand what life is actually like inside the home. Before arranging a visit, request the full inspection report directly from the regulator's website. On your visit, ask the manager specifically what caused the Safety rating and what has changed since February 2022. The inspection data was reviewed in July 2023 with no change to ratings, but the underlying findings are now more than three years old.

The three questions to ask when you visit

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In Their Own Words

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

What Old Station House says about itself

Friendly staff create warm atmosphere for families visiting loved ones

Residential home in Abingdon: True Peace of Mind

When you're looking for care in Abingdon, finding a place where staff genuinely connect with residents matters deeply. Old Station House in Abingdon focuses on creating that personal touch through friendly, approachable carers who make families feel welcome. The home specialises in caring for people over 65, including those living with dementia.

Care & specialisms

Who they care for

    The home provides specialist dementia care alongside general support for older adults. Their team understands the unique challenges families face when a loved one needs memory care.

    How they describe their dementia care

    For residents living with dementia, the structured activities programme helps maintain routine and engagement. The friendly, patient approach of carers creates reassurance during what can be confusing times.

    “If you're considering Old Station House, it's worth asking about their visitor access arrangements to understand how they'll work for your family's needs.”

    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.

    Comforting Memories

    Britain 1940 to 1970: Memory Lane

    Card Game

    The Card Game That Turns Familiar Phrases Into Open Doors

    Memory Box

    The Box That Holds a Life

    Digital Photoframe

    The Frame That Brings the Family Into the Room

    Digital Calendar

    The Clock That Knows What Day It Is

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