Deerswood Lodge

Updated 10 April 2026

Date of Assessment: 22 April 2026. Deerswood Lodge provides accommodation and personal care for older people, including people living with dementia and those with complex needs. This assessment was completed due to the length of time since the previous inspection. At the last inspection, areas for improvement were identified. These had been addressed and the overall rating has improved from Good to Outstanding.

People received exceptionally kind, compassionate and person-centred care from staff who knew them extremely well and consistently treated them with dignity, respect and empathy. Feedback from people, relatives and professionals was overwhelmingly positive about the caring culture and high-quality support provided. Staff understood people’s histories, preferences and aspirations and used this knowledge to deliver highly personalised care which promoted wellbeing, independence and positive outcomes.

The service demonstrated a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Staff understood and responded to people’s cultural, religious and communication needs, and inclusive initiatives promoted meaningful relationships, mutual respect and a strong sense of community. People were supported to maintain control over their lives, make meaningful choices and remain actively involved in their community. Staff used creative and personalised approaches to reduce distress, increase confidence and provide people with purpose and reassurance.

There was a highly positive, open and inclusive culture throughout the service. Leaders were visible, approachable and supportive, and promoted the values of empowerment, individuality and respect. Staff felt valued, listened to and involved in decision making. The provider actively supported staff wellbeing, development and progression, which had created a skilled, motivated and stable workforce and promoted continuity of care.

Leaders encouraged feedback, learning and continuous improvement. Strong teamwork, low staff turnover and positive morale contributed to a supportive environment for people and staff. The provider also worked effectively with relatives, professionals and the local community to improve outcomes and ensure people remained connected to meaningful activities and relationships.

Updated 10 April 2026

People and relatives were resoundingly positive about the quality of care at Deerswood Lodge. Where people were unable to directly tell us about their care experience, we observed the interactions between people and staff. This approach showed people were included and listened to and staff consistently interacted positively with them. People told us they felt safe and were fully involved in planning their care and understood their rights. People and their relatives said they received high quality care from knowledgeable staff who treated them as individuals. A relative told us, “This place is brilliant and my [relative] is so much happier here than the last place, and she was there for 14 years.”

People described how staff treated them kindly and how they were supported to have a full and active life, in line with their preferences and choices about how they liked to spend their time. As a result of the support people received, they had experienced very positive outcomes. They had been supported to increase their independence, become a part of their community and follow their favoured past times. One person told us, “All the staff are great, but [staff member] is a marvel to me.” People and their relatives knew staff and leaders well and felt confident in their leadership.