Fernbank Residential Care Home

25/27 Gratwick Road, Worthing BN11 4BN
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9.7 52 Reviews
  • Fernbank Residential Care Home, Worthing
Fernbank is an exceptionally attractive and well-appointed residence for retired ladies and gentlemen in the very centre of Worthing.

The home is within a few minutes of the seafront and promenade with far reaching views across the English Channel and Sussex coastline. Local bus routes and train station are also within walking distance.

Fernbank is designed to care for those who wish to be in comfortable, pleasant surroundings with like-minded company and social environments. The home assures high quality cuisine and the attendance of helpful and caring staff during the day and night.

Fernbank boasts a stunning and substantial new extension completed in Spring 2017. The new building has increased the number of rooms to 46, as well as adding a spacious dining room with air conditioning. Luxurious communal lounges, activity room, a patio and herb garden plus a very popular hairdressing salon were all included in the extended home. Most bedrooms are en-suite and are beautifully decorated and furnished. Each room has a plasma TV, Wifi and a free private telephone.

There is an air conditioned dining room and lounges for comfort in the warmer summer months.
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Care Provided by Fernbank Residential Care Home

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • For a maximum of 46 Service Users

Other Care Provided

  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Stroke
  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • COPD/Pulmonary Disease
  • Convalescent Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Smoking not permitted
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Stairlift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees What's included?

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1102
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1127

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Fernbank Residential Home to find out the exact price for your requirements. There are no extras except for newspapers, hairdressing and chiropody.

The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Fernbank Residential Care Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.

Contact Fernbank Residential Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Contact Fernbank Residential Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Donna Harwood (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2017

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (46)

Visiting

  • Well behaved family pets may be brought to visit.


    Regular activities and entertainers, to which visitors always welcome to attend, no invitation required.

Parking

  • Limited on site parking, there is on street parking that is usually free.

Fernbank Residential Care Home Reviews (52)

9.7

Fernbank Residential Care Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.740) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Fernbank Residential Care Home has 52 reviews.

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Review from Sheila H (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All I can say is thank you to everyone at Fernbank, you are so lovely with my mum. She has been at the home since she broke her hip in 2021. She enjoys the banter with ‘the Elaines’ (as do I) she joins in with all the fun! Is a regular companion on shopping trips into town! (When she remembers her hearing
aids) she enjoys socializing with all her new friends! Thank you to the whole Fernbank team.
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Review from M D (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our Mother has recently become a resident of Fernbank Residential Home and from our first contact with this home, my sister and I have nothing but praise and thanks to the manager and all the staff there.
The premises and rooms are bright, clean and welcoming, the facilities great and there are activities
and entertainment options every day of the week. It's amazing!
Our mum is settling well after only two weeks which we put down to the care of the manager and staff. Mum has also praised the staff for their kindness.
We are so happy and relieved that she is in good hands and that we can visit her anytime we like.
Thank you Fernbank.
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Review from Jane R (Friend of Resident) published on 20 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My dear friend went into Fernbank Residential Home with a view of staying for only a few weeks but stayed just over a year. He settled in so well and got on with other residents. Members of staff were always cheerful and caring. He had a self-contained room with his own shower and toilet and I know
that once he left his room in the morning he would spend the rest of the day in the main sitting room with the other residents and only return to his room at night. Most days they would be entertained by either the staff playing games with them or outside entertainers were brought in. I couldn't recommend the home enough and was so pleased we were able to find a safe place for him.
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Review from S R (Resident) published on 23 August 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Fernbank Residential Home is very good in appearance both outside and in. The staff are very friendly and treat the residents with respect. The restaurant is very well organised. Food is of a high standard, and the staff run this in a well-organised way at the relevant meal times. The building is
very well maintained and is decorated to a very high standard. The activities are good, with a good number of entertainers coming into Fernbank for "live" performances.
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Review from M B (Son of Resident) published on 1 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum has been there for nearly four months. Since being a resident, she has gone from strength to strength. It's been so good to see. My mum loves the staff are so caring to both residents and visitors. Makes it a real pleasure.
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Review from M B (Resident) assisted by family/friend published on 4 August 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This is the first time in 55 years that I have stayed away from home without my husband or other family members. I was very anxious and didn't know how I would manage particularly as I have a neurological condition that seriously impairs my mobility. I shouldn't have had any concerns. My stay was a
delight! If the occasion arises again, I shall have no hesitation in returning to Fernbank to enjoy a wonderful stay.
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Review from Maggie K (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 June 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum has been in Fernbank for two years. She is well looked after the staff are very friendly and caring. It is very extremely clean in all areas. It's also nice that before covid you could come to take your relatives out whenever liked also visit whenever. Would not hesitate to recommend this home.
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Review from Andrew W (Son of Resident) published on 30 June 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Mum has now been at Fernbank for approximately 4 years. She is generally quite happy there and likes the staff.
I have been happy to know Mum is safe and well cared for.
Any minor problems that may have occurred have been dealt with efficiently and helpfully.
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Review from Debbie K (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 June 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Finding the right care for my father was one of the hardest tasks I have had to make until I visited Fernbank. They have never failed to deliver any part of what they promised at that initial visit. Managed by one of the kindest, most professional women I have ever met. Supported by a great deputy too.
The staff are all beautiful. So kind and caring. Nothing is too much trouble. My dad is always clean and well presented and has been very happy there for the last 3 years. The home is always spotlessly clean and well kept. There are always plenty of staff to meet the needs to maintain their high standards. I would highly recommend this care service to anyone who needs a home-from-home experience with the support of amazing people.
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Review from Graham K (Son of Resident) published on 30 June 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My mother seems quite happy at Fernbank. They look after her well, are attentive to her needs and always keep us up to date with her health situation. We are satisfied that Fernbank takes all care to respect and treat our mother with dignity.
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Review from Jean J (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 June 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Th manager and all the lovely staff have been caring for my Mum for the last 6 years, and I couldn't wish for better care for her. My Mum is sadly in a world of her own these days due to her dementia and can be very 'trying' for the staff, but they treat her with great respect and for that, I am extremely
grateful. If ever I'm asked for care home recommendations, I never hesitate to praise Fernbank.
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Review from Graham M (Son of Resident) published on 30 June 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very satisfied with the care and attention the management and staff have given to my mother. In the nearly 6 months she has been there they have succeeded in settling her in, to the extent she is no longer demanding to go home - although she does still think about being at home with her cat on her lap.
Medical and other care services have been satisfactorily provided as necessary.
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Review from Ian P (Son of Resident) published on 25 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The care of my mother has been outstanding right to the end. Not only did they look after my mother making sure she was comfortable and at home. They were also sensitive to the families needs, especially in her last few days.
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Review from Paul A (Son of Resident) published on 1 November 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Fernbank is impeccably clean and modern, in an excellent location close to the town centre.
The food and service are excellent. The staff are friendly and attentive but are forced by procedures to spend far too much time on their devices recording everything. That is valuable time that could be better
spent interacting with residents. Whilst the home provides good afternoon activities, more time could be spent having conversations with those residents that would benefit, probably need more staff or volunteers.
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Review from Heidi F (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 October 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My Father was only at the home for a few weeks as I had to transfer him to a Dementia Care Home but during his short stay, he was very happy there. It is a beautiful rest home and all the staff are very kind and considerate and are always willing to help. My Father always said how good and plentiful
the food is. I would thoroughly recommend this home.
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Review from B L (Resident) published on 10 April 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic care, exceptional food. Everyone went to great lengths to assure my comfort and help with recovery from a broken hip.
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Review from John W (Respite Resident) published on 28 February 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fernbank was an ideal location because my wife is cared for in another care home nearby who I visit every other day. As a restful home I couldn't have whished for anything else.
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Review from Richard and Gillian S (Son of Resident) published on 28 November 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have experience of Fernbank caring for 3 parents over the last 8 years to date. Throughout this period, the overall standard of care has been excellent, particularly when our parents (residents ) were in poor or failing health. The staff, especially the manager, have always been very supportive and
helpful, nothing was/is too much trouble.
The home is very open and visitors are always welcome, greeted with tea and cake.
It is recommendation enough that we have used the home for 3 parents, spanning a period of some 8 years, where there care and needs have always been met.
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Review from Trevor D (Son of Resident) published on 24 September 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been a resident of Fernbank for around 2 years. She has an osteoarthritic condition and needs medication, which means she needs a safe and secure environment, providing good quality care as and when needed, balanced with privacy and independence.


Fernbank meets all the needs and more,

with well furnished and maintained accommodation and, most importantly, an excellent, well trained, ever friendly and patient team of staff, well led at all times and always accessible for any enquiries I may have as next of kin. I have not regretted for one moment selecting Fernbank for my mother's safety and care. They are simply brilliant.
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Review from Betty A (Resident) published on 20 September 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Considering the increase in size had made the home less personal, the staff manage to maintain friendly relationships. The only snag is residents don't see members of staff as frequently as in the past.
Good to have wifi but not good to have hairdresser on 3rd floor.
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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.740)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.740) out of 10 for Fernbank Residential Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 15 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 15 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:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.865 for Fernbank Residential Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (154 Excellents x 5) + (24 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 178 Ratings = 4.865
  2. 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 4.875 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Fernbank Residential Care Home is based on 15 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 3.875
    2. 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 46 registered maximum number of service users is 9.2, which has been reached with 15 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Regulatory Rating

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 24 Mar 2026

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.

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Awards / Recognitions (0)

Meet the Team (4)

Donna

Donna Harwood

Job Title: Registered Manager Joined: 1997

With nearly 30 years of dedication to South Coast Nursing Homes, including 19 years as the Registered Manager right here at Fernbank, Donna Harwood's long-standing leadership has made the home a true cornerstone of high-quality care in Worthing.


Here, Donna shares what makes the Fernbank family so uniquely special:


"Welcome to Fernbank"


"When families visit us, they often ask me what sets Fernbank apart from other care homes in Worthing. My answer is always simple: our exceptional support and respect for our residents who have trusted us with their care, driven by our proven track record and our people. I am incredibly proud that we have consistently maintained our ‘Good’ CQC rating, backed by an array of 5-star reviews on carehome.co.uk from our residents and their loved ones.


To me, exceptional care relies entirely on consistency. That is why I am delighted to say that we have not used a single hour of agency care staff in the last 24 months. If we ever need extra cover, we only ever source staff from our trusted sister homes. This means every person stepping through our doors is trained to our exceptionally high South Coast Nursing Homes standards, understands our ethos, and already feels like family.


We also look to the future. If your loved one’s care needs change over time, you don't have to worry about the unknown. Through our close-knit network, we can seamlessly refer to our sister homes, ensuring they continue to receive the exact same high standard of care you expect from us, without the stress of starting over.


Finally, life at Fernbank is full of joy. We are just a short walk from Worthing town centre, the seafront, and our local theatres. We have a wonderfully active relationship with our sister homes, Berkeley Lodge and The Poets, where our residents are always invited to join in on activities and events. It is a vibrant community, and we cannot wait to welcome you into it."


Donna Harwood
Registered Home Manager, Fernbank

Julie

Julie Carter

Job Title: Home Administrator Joined: 2023

As the Home Administrator, I love that our home has a genuinely warm, 'homely' feel where everyone is happy and supportive. What stands out to me most is how every department - from Care and Kitchen to Housekeeping, Activities, and Management - works together to ensure our residents' needs always come first.

Melanie

Melanie Baker

Job Title: Receptionist Joined: 2024

My name is Melanie, and I am delighted to be the Receptionist at Fernbank, having joined the team in November 2024.


From the moment you contact Fernbank, I aim to ensure you feel welcomed, supported, and valued. It has been a pleasure getting to know our residents and their families, and I enjoy being part of the warm and caring community we have here.


With previous experience in care, reception, and secretarial roles across the care, finance, and education sectors, I understand the importance of providing a friendly, professional, and compassionate service. Whether you are making an enquiry, arranging a visit, or simply calling for information, I am always happy to help.


I look forward to welcoming you and your loved ones to Fernbank.

Ruth

Ruth Cherriman

Job Title: Head Chef Joined: 2023

Ruth joined the Fernbank team as Head Chef in September 2023, bringing a wealth of diverse culinary experience from hotels, restaurants, private schools, and care homes.


While she has worked in a variety of kitchens, her heart has always been in care catering. For Ruth, Fernbank was the perfect opportunity to return to what she loves most.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact Fernbank Residential Care Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Fernbank Residential Care Home has an Enhanced Service - more info.