Chelston Park Nursing and Residential Home - Chelston Gardens Dementia Nursing Home

Updated 24 July 2026

We assessed Chelston Park Nursing and Residential Home and Chelston Gardens Dementia Nursing Home between 27 August and 11 September 2026. There are two separate buildings on site; Chelston Park and Chelston Gardens. The home provides high-quality residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 86 people within a warm, inclusive and person-centred environment. At the time of our assessment, 80 people were receiving care. People consistently told us they felt safe, valued and well supported by compassionate, patient and attentive staff who knew them exceptionally well. Relatives spoke highly of the care provided, describing positive experiences and expressing confidence that they were kept informed, listened to and actively involved in decisions about their loved ones' care.

Staff demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting people's dignity, choice and independence. Care was delivered with kindness and respect, with staff taking time to seek consent and ensure people's preferences and wishes were central to the support they received.

Care plans were detailed, personalised and regularly reviewed to ensure they reflected people's changing needs and aspirations. Robust risk assessments supported safe care delivery while enabling people to maintain as much independence as possible. People had timely access to a range of healthcare professionals, including regular GP reviews, helping to promote positive health outcomes and continuity of care.

Medicines were managed safely and effectively through secure storage arrangements, electronic medication administration systems, comprehensive staff training, competency assessments and regular audits. The home environment was clean, comfortable and very well maintained, providing a welcoming atmosphere with accessible communal areas and attractive gardens that enhanced people's wellbeing and quality of life.

Staffing levels were carefully assessed using a recognised dependency tool to ensure sufficient skilled staff were available to meet people's needs safely and responsively. Staff benefitted from a structured induction programme, ongoing training and regular opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills, supporting the delivery of consistently high standards of care.

The service was exceptionally well led by an approachable and visible management team who knew people, relatives and staff well. The management team fostered an open, positive and learning-focused culture where feedback was welcomed, achievements were recognised and continuous improvement was actively encouraged. Robust governance arrangements, including audits, incident analysis, quality monitoring, feedback mechanisms and action planning, provided effective oversight of the service.

The management team demonstrated a proactive and responsive approach throughout the assessment process, taking immediate action to strengthen areas identified for improvement, including checks relating to window restrictors, recruitment sign-off processes, laundry safety and call-bell monitoring. This reflected a strong commitment to safety, quality and achieving the best possible outcomes for people.

Updated 24 July 2026

People consistently described having a highly positive experience of living at the home and spoke warmly about the quality of care and support they received. People told us they felt safe, valued and respected, and described staff as exceptionally kind, compassionate and attentive. One person said, “It’s pretty good here. There’s always someone to help me and I like it here. There’s no one rushing me.” Another described the carers as “Just lovely”, explaining how staff took time to listen, provide reassurance and show genuine empathy. People were empowered to make meaningful choices about their daily lives, including their routines, meals, activities and how they spent their time, supporting independence and promoting a strong sense of control and wellbeing.

People were very positive about the food and dining experience, describing meals as enjoyable and tailored to their individual preferences. Staff demonstrated a detailed understanding of people’s dietary needs and preferences and worked flexibly to ensure these were met. People were routinely offered choices and alternatives, and meals were adapted to support a wide range of nutritional requirements. We observed staff providing patient, respectful support during mealtimes, encouraging independence, offering reassurance and ensuring people could eat comfortably at their own pace. Relatives spoke positively about how staff managed specific dietary needs, including diabetes, food intolerances and modified diets, and were confident people’s health and wellbeing were promoted through a personalised approach.

The service offered a varied programme of activities designed around people’s interests, preferences and life histories. People enjoyed opportunities to participate in quizzes, music sessions, baking, reminiscence, gardening and social events that promoted inclusion, enjoyment and meaningful occupation. Activities were well attended and created a vibrant atmosphere, with laughter, conversation and singing observed throughout the home. Equally, staff respected and supported people who preferred quieter pursuits, such as spending time in their rooms, listening to music or enjoying visits from family and friends. Staff showed a commitment to continually enhancing opportunities for engagement, particularly within the dementia community, to ensure every person experienced activities that were meaningful, personalised and enriching.

Relatives consistently described the care as compassionate, responsive and genuinely person-centred. They told us staff knew people exceptionally well, understood their individual histories, preferences and routines, and used this knowledge to provide care that was tailored to each person. Families felt listened to, valued and kept informed, and said staff acted promptly when concerns or questions were raised. People knew who they could approach if they were worried and expressed confidence that managers and nursing staff would take action and provide support. While some people reported occasional delays in call bell responses during busy periods, leaders demonstrated a proactive and reflective approach to continuous improvement. The provider regularly reviewed call bell data, adjusted staffing deployment in response to identified trends and introduced additional support roles to improve responsiveness and people’s overall experience.

There was a strong, positive and inclusive culture throughout the home. People, relatives and staff spoke highly of the management team, describing them as visible, approachable and committed to maintaining high standards of care. The atmosphere was calm, welcoming and genuinely homely, with warm, respectful interactions evident throughout our visit. Staff demonstrated pride in their roles and a clear commitment to achieving positive outcomes for people. Leaders promoted a culture of openness, learning and continuous improvement, ensuring feedback was acted upon and that people remained at the heart of service development. As a result, people appeared comfortable, relaxed and confident in the support they received, and there was a clear emphasis on ensuring everyone experienced meaningful engagement, dignity and high-quality care.