Swimbridge House Nursing Home

Welcombe Lane, Swimbridge, Barnstaple EX32 0QT
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9.7 71 Reviews
  • Swimbridge House Nursing Home, Barnstaple
Swimbridge House Nursing Home is a 44-bed nursing home, for those over 65, with a very homely atmosphere and plenty of personal attention.

The Home offers nursing, residential and respite care in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, where the physical and mental well-being of each resident is looked after in a warm and welcoming environment. The Home also specialises in dementia care and is accredited for the ‘Six Steps’ End-of-Life Care. The home is registered with the Care Quality Commission and is rated as ‘Good’.

The home is situated just outside the North Devon village of Swimbridge in a scenic rural setting, close to the A361 link road and in between the regional centre of Barnstaple and South Molton.

To help decide if Swimbridge House is a suitable choice, they provide a free trial day where potential residents can experience first-hand the benefits of the Home.

Their VISION is to be a warm and welcoming Home where everyone matters.

Their VALUES are:
WELCOMING - A positive environment where everyone is respected and treated as individuals.
CARING - With warmth and understanding in a secure and happy environment with qualified engaged staff and strong leadership.
HONESTY - Build and maintain strong relationships by being open and transparent.
CHOICES - Understand and support individual needs by providing person-centred care.

Care Provided by Swimbridge House Nursing Home

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 44 Service Users
  • Privately Owned
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Cancer Care
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Speech Impairment
  • Stroke
  • Visual Impairment
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • End of Life Care
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • Vaneal Ltd
  • Person in charge
  • Martine Butler (Registered Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Open for everyone: nursing care, residential care, respite and dementia
    • Ages 65+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (44)
    • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
    • Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (25)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes
    • Year Purpose Built: 1996
    • Last Refurbishment: 2019
    • Number of floors: 2

Funding & Fees Guide for Swimbridge House Nursing Home

  • Funding Types Accepted
  • Self funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top-Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Funding
  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,113
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,113
    • Self-Funded Nursing Care from £1,348
    • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care from £1,340
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,200
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,200
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care from £1,400
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care from £1,400
  • Fees will mostly be based on assessment of care needs by the home, but will also depend on size of the room and wet room availability.
    Nursing care fees are inclusive of the FNC contributions by NHS to the home. Private contribution contribution for Nursing Care is similar as for Residential Care.


  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact Swimbridge House Nursing Home to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Visiting
  • The home is allowing visitors to residents, although there may be restrictions for infection control reasons. Please call the home to discuss current policy.


  • Parking
  • There is plenty on-side parking available, including for disability vehicles.


Swimbridge House Nursing Home Reviews (71)

Total of 71, showing 1-20
9.7

Swimbridge House Nursing Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.665) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Swimbridge House Nursing Home has 71 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 57
  • 14
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Date Published

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57
Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I have always found all the staff very friendly and caring of Mum. She seems happy and although very disabled, is compos-mentis. Everywhere is clean and smells pleasant. Mum likes the meals and enjoys the trips out.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Unfortunately, we were only involved with Swimbridge House for 2.5 weeks. During that time father was treated with care and compassion in his final days.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff are professional and extremely kind. They treat residents and relatives with respect. They know everyone's name and include them in plans and decisions. There is a great range of social activities, newsletters, gardening, entertainment, food and proper meal times in the dining room. National holidays
and events are celebrated and relatives are involved. Staff are adaptable to individual's foibles, as well as their care and medical needs. Also impressed with the training and indication of new staff to the Swimbridge "home from home" way.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Warm, clean and odour-free in all areas. The friendly and caring staff made family and friends welcome. The activities organisers put on a very good and varied programme which includes trips out and entertainers. End-of-life care was excellent, my husband treated with dignity and kept pain-free and
hydrated. I was also looked after and included in all his needs, with staff ensuring that I was comfortable, had nourishment and was well supported.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I had to find a nursing home urgently for my mum as her health declined very quickly and I could no longer take care of all her needs. The atmosphere was palpable when I viewed Swimbridge. I sensed and witnessed a wonderful caring environment, spotlessly clean, great food and cheery staff. Sadly Mum
had only been there for 4 months when she passed in March 2024. Had she not lived with me it would have been an excellent place to spend her final years. There are always activities offered along with days out, visiting singers, art, cookery, and gardening - plenty to keep the residents occupied and happy. The manager is such a warm, friendly and knowledgable person and her staff are a credit to her.

Reply from Joost van Delft, Proprietor at Swimbridge House Nursing Home

Thank you to offer us the opportunity to care for your mum.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum was a resident at Swimbridge for 4 years. I found it to be a very welcoming and friendly nursing home. The staff became like a second family to Mum and she was treated with love and care on all occasions. In the last days of her life, she was given respect and dignity by her carers and the nursing
team.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both our mother and later our aunt were resident at Swimbridge Nursing Home.
We feel that this was a happy and safe place for them to be. We were always greeted with a smile on arrival. And felt happy for our family to be looked after.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It was my first contact with the nursing home and I was incredibly impressed with the care and attention given to the patients. There was such a deep sense of love surrounding the staff and this was conveyed to each patient. I have visited many such places and have never known such kindness given by
staff to the family and friends. It was unconditional. You are to be commended for hiring the appropriate staff and indeed the leadership from the top is exceptional. Full marks and a gold star. Ten out of ten.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A very friendly, caring home.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum has been in the care of this home since August 2023. When she first arrived she had a skin condition called Bullous Pemphigoid and the medical team have handled this extremely well. It took Mum a while to settle in but now seems happier and more at home. All the staff I have met seem capable,
friendly and do a good job and I would gladly recommend the home to others.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum has been living at Swimbridge since June 2020. She settled in very quickly and seems to be very happy. We have complete confidence in the care and love that Mum receives. She is so well looked after and always has company. Although her dementia condition has deteriorated, she is content and happy.
This is a great comfort to see for myself and sister to know that she is in such good hands.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

During her five month stay at Swimbridge House Nursing Home, my wife received wonderful care from all the nurses and carers. From the day she arrived, she was made to feel welcome and was treated as being very special. For most people, it is a difficult decision to go into a care home, but it was made
to appear seamless and a 'home from home' atmosphere was created, not only by the staff, but also by being able to personalise the room with familiar items from home such as furniture, pictures and photographs. The staff are professional, compassionate and empathetic. Nothing is too much trouble.
The catering arrangements are well established and the chefs are able to react instantly to change a diet or prepare a meal outside of normal dining times. The buildings and gardens are well maintained, with an on-site maintenance man who is able to respond quickly to any issues, to ensure the continued smooth running of the care home. Her end of life care was exceptional. Well done to everyone.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My aunt died with dignity, and the teams around the nursing home, including the clinical lead, have restored my faith in the care system. The senior leadership team should be very proud of the whole team who made this possible for my aunt and me.
My aunt was very unwell, and I’m pleased she left this
world not in pain! I promised her that we'd do this together, and Swimbridge House has delivered it for us.
If you're looking for a nursing home at the moment? It's an extremely daunting experience! This operation will guide you and hold your hand through the whole experience and communicate with you at every step.
It's a very slick nursing operation that actually cares.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum received exceptional care during her time at Swimbridge House Nursing Home. We cannot fault them in any way. Every member of staff went above and beyond in their care for Mum and ourselves as a family. Communication was excellent, and we cannot thank them enough for supporting us during the past
few months.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My dad had a happy five months at Swimbridge House Nursing Home until his death in January. He settled in and enjoyed the time he had there, Dad often commented how good the meals and food were - he looked forward to that daily and the hot chocolate before bed, the best he ever had. The staff were extremely
friendly and well trained and the support he received was outstanding - everyone treated him with dignity and respect. I highly recommend Swimbridge House to anyone that needs care or nursing care. Thank you to the management team and staff.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Competent, warm, enthusiastic, motivated, care, well informed, meticulous attention to detail of care plan, yet awareness of central, overarching key need. A holistic approach, understanding by excellent nursing/care understanding. Responsive to constructive suggestions, attentive, kind and humane.
A wonderfully integrated team approach to individual care. Our dad received excellent, compassionate attention to his needs and personality.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

A warm and friendly care home. Mum arrived during the pandemic, and the staff were welcoming. Visiting restrictions were already in place, with regular testing t ensure residents remained safe. The rooms were pleasant, with a varied choice in the menu. I was always kept informed if Mum was unwell or
had any concerns. The nurses were always happy to reassure you of her health and well-being. The activity team updated Mum on their programme of events. Also, fundraising events were held, inviting friends and family to attend. The staff always encouraged Mum to join the events and socialise. The overall care and support which we experienced from the home and staff were excellent.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff treated Mum kindly, carefully and with dignity. She was always well looked after, as were we. There was always someone available to talk through Mum's deteriorating condition and end of life was discussed with us and dealt with in an appropriate manner.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff were very kind to my father and they treated him well. Dad had 10 months in Swimbridge House, during this time dad was cared for by a wonderful team, I was also always made to feel welcome. Covid and the restrictions were challenging for everyone but the manager and her team responded well.
I am so grateful to all the staff that cared for dad so well.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very kind and thoughtful staff. Room was always clean and warm, and well-equipped for my father's needs. Food was always available and looked nice. My father was well looked after and I have no complaints about the home whatsoever.

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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.665)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.665) out of 10 for Swimbridge House Nursing Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.665 for Swimbridge House Nursing Home is calculated as follows: ( (117 Excellents x 5) + (44 Goods x 4) + (6 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 167 Ratings = 4.665

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Swimbridge House Nursing Home is based on 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 44 registered maximum number of service users is 8.8, which has been reached with 14 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 29 Jan 2019

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good
  • Effective

    Good
  • Responsive

    Good
  • Safe

    Good
  • Well-led

    Good

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (0)

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Meet the Team (4)

Martine

Martine Butler

Job Title: Home Manager

Joined: 2021

Martine is a qualified nurse with over 30 years experience of working within the Health and Social care sectors. Prior to joining Swimbridge House Nursing Home in August 2021, she worked as a senior regulatory inspector, quality and compliance manager, and care home manager within the independent sector and with Devon County Council, and most recently as Nurse Educator and Safeguarding Lead.


Martine’s skills and experiences have equipped her with a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement, a process that she aims will become synonymous with the reputation of Swimbridge House.


Anita

Anita Nelson

Job Title: Senior Health Care Assistant

Joined: 2013

I joined Swimbridge House over 10 years ago and have worked in the care sector throughout most of my working life in hospital and community settings. Swimbridge House is a home-from-home environment offering all levels of individual support to all of its residents and families it is a great place to work. We are committed to providing the best support we can. Every day you will hear laughter and see a sea of smiles; we also offer free hugs to everyone. All our staff are committed to providing the best care and experience for our residents and their families and I am proud to say I am a member of that team.


Reka

Reka Lukacs

Job Title: Nurse

Joined: 2014

Swimbridge is a warm and friendly care home, where the staff aim to provide a “real home” for all residents, personal comfort, safety and a high standard of care. The staff are always smiling and helpful. About half of the staff have been working together for more than four years now. We support and motivate each other and also we learn from the experiences of others, forming a strong team.


Nichola

Nichola Hussell

Job Title: Personal Assistant

Joined: 2015

I’ve worked at Swimbridge House for just over three years now and it’s a friendly, happy place to be – for residents, their families and staff. Everyone pulls together as a team to make sure that the residents and their families get the help and support they need and deserve. Everyone has their role to play to make the home the place it is – warm, welcoming and caring.


Frequently Asked Questions about Swimbridge House Nursing Home

What types of Care is Swimbridge House Nursing Home registered for?

Older Person Care, Dementia, Respite Care, Physical Disability & Sensory Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.

What additional types of Care does Swimbridge House Nursing Home provide?

Palliative Care, Convalescent Care, Own GP if required & End of Life Care are other types of care provided.

How many Rooms does Swimbridge House Nursing Home have?

There are 44 Single Rooms.

What are the Facilities & Services at Swimbridge House Nursing Home?

Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Smoking not permitted, Near Public Transport, Minibus or other transport, Lift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room & Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.

How far is Swimbridge House Nursing Home to the centre of Barnstaple?

4.2 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.