Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare

Wissage Road, Lichfield WS13 6SP
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9.6 124 Reviews
  • Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare, Lichfield
Nestled in a serene residential area near Stowe Pool, Darwin Court offers panoramic penthouse options for those seeking assisted living in Lichfield. With dementia, nursing, respite and residential care available on the first, second and third floors, loved ones have the peace of mind that family members receive the best possible support in a breath-taking environment.

The home is in a quiet residential enclave adjacent to the scientifically significant Stowe Pool. Whether residents explore the local area or indulge in the home's facilities, dedicated Activity Co-ordinators ensure a continuous array of stimulating activities. Life at Darwin is characterised by safety, support and a lively atmosphere from the top floor to the bottom.

The spacious and calming bedrooms boast walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs and high-quality furnishings. Residents are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms with personal belongings, adding a touch of home to their private space. Communal areas within the Lichfield care home are vibrant, well-lit and airy, with quiet spots for those seeking a break from social activities. The home also features a dedicated cinema room, café and a hair salon and residents benefit from regular visits from local community groups, spanning various age groups, faiths or interests.

For a glimpse into the vibrant nursing home in Lichfield, visit the dedicated Facebook page, or contact the team or drop by for a tour of the retirement and assisted living facilities.

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Care Provided by Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare

  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Mental Health Condition
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Younger Adults
  • Care Types Provided
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 112 Service Users
  • Privately Owned
  • Other Care Provided
  • Convalescent Care
  • Palliative Care
  • Separate Specialist Dementia Care Unit

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Simon Dixey (Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • We take enquiries and referrals from individuals and professionals
    • Ages 50+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (112)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes
    • Last Refurbishment: 2015

Funding & Fees Guide for Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare

  • 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 £1,300
    • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,300
    • Self-Funded Nursing Care from £1,400
    • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care from £1,400
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care from £1,400
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care from £1,500
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Bar/Café
  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Residents Internet Access
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Visiting

  • Visitors are welcome anytime, the home have their own cafe with complimentary drinks and snacks


  • Parking

  • There is a small car park on site


Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare Reviews (124)

Total of 124, showing 81-100
9.6

Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.598) out of 10, based on 30 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare has 124 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 88
  • 24
  • 7
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  • 3

Date Published

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Review from Jane I (Respite Resident) published on 25 February 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

I was in the home for a week for respite care. I suffer from multiple sclerosis and am in a wheelchair. The care staff were lovely. The bathroom was a little awkward for access in my wheelchair - there wasn't room to close the bathroom door. It was ok. However, the meals served were very poor. Meals
were always lukewarm and unappetising eg chips were limp and cold. All the residents I spoke to were not happy with the food quality but we're resigned to it. Apparently, some have complained but say that nothing ever changed. I wasn't expecting haute cuisine but I would describe the food as bad hospital food. Luckily I was only there for a week.

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Review from Elinor C (Wife of Resident) published on 4 February 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My husband was admitted on 18th December 2018 suffering from Dementia and inoperable pancreatic cancer as he required 24-hour palliative nursing care which I was no longer able to provide for him. He had wonderful care for the six days he was there which I sincerely do not think could have been bettered
anywhere.
All of the staff were very empathetic but I must highlight the nursing team who gave him a very high standard of nursing care and were genuinely upset if they felt he was uncomfortable at any time.
He passed away eight days later but it is a source of great solace to me and the family to know that he had the best possible care and the staff did their utmost to keep him pain-free until the end.
They made a spacious well-appointed room for my sole use for the last three days so that I was able to be with him at his passing which was so very important to me.
I would not hesitate to recommend this care facility to anyone.

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Review from Hazel M (Wife of Resident) published on 5 December 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would give it 10 out of 10. It is a very friendly home. Everyone is so caring and my husband is very happy here. All of our family feel the same.

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Review from P A (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 November 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My mother stayed in Darwin Court for 2 weeks for respite care. She found the staff extremely nice and caring and accommodating. Facilities are comfortable and spacious and activities well chosen and run. On the negative side, she found the food surprisingly disappointing, poorly cooked on occasion and
lacking imagination. This needs improvement.

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Review from S M (Daughter of Resident) published on 14 November 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All the staff are friendly and helpful, even those that no longer care for mum.
Overall, the food is fine, however the evening meal is not to the same standard as lunchtime. May I suggest that tomatoes or spaghetti on toast is not suitable.
Mum is blind but the staff are good at cutting up her food
and provide a "bumper" on the plate to assist.
The new themed days in the coffee lobby work well.
Our thanks to the manager who has a fine eye for detail and whose door is always open.

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Review from Melvyn H (Son of Resident) published on 1 November 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent care and the staff always willing to go the extra mile.

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Review from S N (Respite Resident) published on 23 October 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The staff are great on Spires and have been doing their best to accommodate my disabilities. I would advise better mental health training and a look at making the room wheelchair friendly with a larger toilet and shower room.
Although I think residents' meeting once a month would be good, so as to
find out how to get them more interactive with each other and the activities they would like, maybe even getting other units to join in especially with sing songs.
Overall my stay so far is very good.

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Review from Vi (Daughter of Resident) published on 11 October 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

A super facility, excellent events and activities coordination there is always lots going on.
The majority of staff are permanent rather than agency which assists in the continuity of care received by the residents.
Care staff are always friendly and couldn’t do more to help. They are always respectful
and kind to the residents. The staff never stop and there has been a decline in the number of registered nurses on duty across the home...this has not been rectified in the past few months
Hopefully, the new management will be stronger, robust and more intrusive into staff performance standards than previous management; that was weak and rarely seen.

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Review from Andrew W (Son of Resident) published on 25 September 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Warm welcome on arriving at Darwin Court. The rooms are very homely decorated. The staff are very friendly and soon get to know who you are visiting and get to know the residents. Very caring approach shown. Lovely lounge to sit in whilst visiting could just do with a few more activities

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Review from M T (Brother of Resident) published on 12 July 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

In the circumstances, I think the staff do a good job. I am not very happy that the residents can access other people's rooms since things go missing and they are often wearing each other's clothes.
But overall, my sister seems quite happy, although she does have her moments.
The kitchen isn't kept
very tidy and we are not offered a drink, although we are allowed to make a drink for my sister.

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Review from Carol R (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 June 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It is such a relief and a pleasure to see how settled mum is in Darwin Court. She often remarks how comfortable it is and how kind and caring all the staff are. In fact, she says that she can't find fault with anything or anyone. The staff are also very caring towards the relatives of the residents,
helping them to deal with emotional situations. I am so relieved that mum is being looked after so well and is also happy to be there. It has definitely taken away a lot of our anxiety about her as she is getting older and frailer.

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Review from M G (Brother of Resident) published on 27 June 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Every time we come Darwin Court is always nice and clean and tidy. Staff go out of their way to help residents and visitors.

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Review from Liz P (Friend of Resident) published on 20 April 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5

I have visited a lot of care homes and have to this say this is a fine example of all that glitters is not Gold. My friend was admitted to the dementia unit and received a very poor level of care. The staff levels are very low and are mainly made up of very young inexperienced carers. The residents
on dementia unit do not get the much-advertised activities and the care is not proactive but reactive. Handovers are not completed so staff are often unable to answer simple questions from incidents or requests from previous shifts. Small details which mean a lot to individual residents are not spotted. Despite having a lovely roof garden not much is made of it especially for dementia patients in the winter months. Often residents are left sleeping in the day room and not enough attempts are made to help and assist residents into bed. Don't let the fancy furniture and freshly painted walls in reception think twice before putting your loved one here.

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Review from Tess S (Daughter of Resident) published on 15 April 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Darwin Court has been exceptional in providing a secure haven where our parents' needs have been met.


We had the unusual circumstance of both parents as residents and this enabled Mum to be with Dad for his last days. They are very good at keeping relatives informed of the slightest development.

They very kindly let me stay in a room equal to any hotel for Dad's last eight days, also looking after my needs and running upstairs to get me when Dads condition was deteriorating even further at his end of life, not forgetting my Mum's needs who was with me at this critical time. While staying at the home it was obvious the staff have a very good therapeutic relationship with the residents and do go the extra mile in their care and support. The home works very closely with the relatives in providing care for the residents, and my sisters and I where asked to provide input into the care plans, and very much appreciated the staff's advice and support for Dad's end of life care.

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Review from Denuta G (Friend of Resident) published on 20 March 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 2.0 out of 5

Nice looking home with good facilities but even with these advantages, the home is unable to provide high levels of care due to poor staffing levels. Roof garden, much advertised, is rarely used by anyone other than residents, nowhere for more severe elderly residents to exercise.

Reply from Emma Miles, Home Manager at Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare

Thank you for your review. I am sorry this has been your experience. I can assure you that our staffing levels are above the national average and we will continue to maintain and review our staffing levels as needed. Our roof garden is very much enjoyed by our residents and offers our residents a connection with outside and nature in a safe environment. We do offer indoor exercise programmes also with our seated cycling sessions which are very popular.


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Review from H C (Relative of Resident) published on 14 March 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are extremely pleased with the care shown to Dad since moving into Darwin Court, we are all made to feel welcome when visiting Dad.
Dad has the opportunity and freedom of using all the facilities within the home, not just those on the unit where he lives.

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Review from Nick M (Grandson of Resident) published on 21 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We recently experienced the care at Darwin Court. The staff were caring and attentive, not only to our grandfather who was a resident but to the whole family.
He certainly enjoyed his stay which covered Christmas day, where he enjoyed a meal, wine and great company of other residents.
He sadly passed
away but it was a great comfort to us and him that in those last days he received the best care in wonderful surroundings with his family around him. The staff at Darwin Court are a real credit to the home.

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Review from Sally (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 30 January 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My grandad recently spent his last couple of weeks here and the care was exceptional. Darwin Courts staff were all really friendly, happy to help even when busy and showed genuine compassion towards us all at such a sad time.
My grandad looked the most comfortable he had looked in a long time after
being in and out of hospital. They catered to all his needs promptly and listened to his wishes without question (my grandad was partially blind and therefore needed tablets put on a coloured plate and water in a coloured cup). They encouraged him to attend events at the home when he was well enough too and sat and had a chat with him when he couldn’t sleep late at night/early morning.

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Review from Margaret J (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 January 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My mum was a resident at Darwin Court for 20 months. During this time, she (and I) came to regard it as her home. After an initial reluctance about mum even going into residential care, we quickly found that she settled well. The environment and the standard of the home were excellent.
Special mention
should be made of the staff who cared for mum in such a loving way. She came to regard them as family. Mum was very well cared for, had lots of company and was loved by all. We shall miss our almost daily visits to Darwin Court. Many, many thanks.

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Review from Sue Y (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 January 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Darwin Court in Lichfield are exceptional. My mum was a resident for about 20 months until her death in January. The care offered to mum was responsive and compassionate. The reception staff and activities staff were also exemplary. I cannot recommend this service highly enough.

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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.598)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.598) out of 10 for Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 30 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 27 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 4.598 for Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare is calculated as follows: ( (269 Excellents x 5) + (56 Goods x 4) + (12 Satisfactorys x 3) + (13 Poors x 2) + (6 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 356 Ratings = 4.598

  • 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 Darwin Court Care Home - Avery Healthcare is based on 27 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 112 registered maximum number of service users is 22.4, which has been reached with 27 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: 14 Sep 2019

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Good

  • Effective

    Good

  • Responsive

    Good

  • Safe

    Requires improvement

  • Well-led

    Good

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

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Bed Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (11)

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Meet the Team (3)

Simon

Simon Dixey

Job Title: General Manager

Joined: 2023

Hi, my name is Simon, and I am delighted to be the home manager here at Darwin Court.


I joined the Avery Family in 2015 and have over 25 years of experience in the healthcare sector. I first joined the Avery Healthcare as a Registered Nurse and have progressed internally, proudly becoming a Registered Manager in 2020.


In November 2023, I joined the amazing team at Darwin Court as General Manager, and I look forward to many successful years in our beautiful home.


I would describe myself as someone who is kind and caring, who is hard working and has a positive attitude.


In my spare time, I love spending time with my family, and watching movies and have recently started jogging.


I am proud of my career and the positive difference I have made in the lives of others and I look forward to welcoming you to our home.


Kerry-Ann

Kerry-Ann Derry

Job Title: Home Administrator

Joined: 2019

I joined the Avery Healthcare Family in 2019 having spent my whole working life in the care sector, from a retirement village to care homes.


Before joining Avery, I was an Administrator Assistant for another care provider.


After leaving school I went to college to complete my Level 2 and Level 3 in Health and Social care.


I would consider myself as kind, caring, hard worker and empathetic. In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family, read and go for walks.


I am very proud to be part of the Darwin court family.


Anthony

Anthony Hackett

Job Title: Catering Manager

Joined: 2024

My name is Anthony and I have been the Catering Manager at Darwin Court Since January 2024, it was a privilege to be offered the role.


I have 20 years of experience in all aspects of catering and take huge pride in providing high standards and exceeding expectations.


Part of my role includes liaising with the residents and I strive to offer the personal touch to suit everyone’s individual needs.


I love all things Country and can be found line dancing in the kitchen daily.


We have already seen so much positive change this year and I look forward to working to achieve the best for all our Avery family here at Darwin Court.