Firtree House Nursing Home

30 St James Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2JZ
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9.6 55 Reviews
  • Firtree House Nursing Home, Tunbridge Wells
Firtree House Nursing Home provides the highest standards of nursing care for up to 42 elderly residents, including trial stays, short stays, convalescent care and long-term care for individuals or couples. The home has strong community links and is situated a short distance from the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Firtree House is an attractive property that was sympathetically converted and extended into a care home in the 1960s, since its conversion the home has undergone a major refurbishment plan and now provides an attractive, safe and stable environment in which staff and residents are actively involved in the day to day decision making of the home.

This attractive period property provides a choice of single or companion bedrooms, many of which have en suite facilities. All bedrooms are individually decorated and comfortably furnished, and residents are welcome to personalise their rooms with the addition of personal mementos and small pieces of furniture to ease the transition of the move into a care home.

To ensure they are able to offer the very best support to all residents, staff at Firtree House undergo specialist dementia training. The means they recognise the importance of meaningful activities and a stimulating environment for people living with dementia as well as all the clinical aspects of care.

This specialist training also equips the chefs and kitchen team with the skills and knowledge to cook and present food in such a way to offer a positive dining experience for residents living with dementia and/or dysphagia.
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Care Provided by Firtree House Nursing Home

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 50 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia

Other Care Provided

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

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Television point in own room

Funding & Fees

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1225
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1225
  • Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1475
  • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1475
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1375
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1375
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1475
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1475

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Firtree House Nursing Home to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Contact Firtree House Nursing Home to confirm what exactly is included and get an estimate tailored to your care needs:

Funding Types Accepted

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

Support you may be entitled to

If you chose a care home based in England, you may be eligible for NHS Funded Nursing Care (FNC), which helps cover the cost of nursing. This is worth £254.06 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.

Contact Firtree House Nursing Home to confirm what exactly is included and get an estimate tailored to your care needs:

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Jackie Cullip (Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 65+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: No

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (41)

Visiting

  • Firtree House operates an open door visiting policy. Family and friends are always welcome and can see their relatives and loved ones as often as they wish.

Firtree House Nursing Home Reviews (55)

9.6

Firtree House Nursing Home has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.589) out of 10, based on 11 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Firtree House Nursing Home has 55 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 37
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Date Published
  • 55
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  • 11
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Reviewer Connection to Firtree House Nursing Home
  • 22
  • 7
  • 5
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  • 1
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Total of 55, showing 41-55
Review from Cathy W (Relative of Resident) published on 6 August 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely home, good care, caring staff.
The manager is compassionate and so kind.
We are over the moon with Firtrees.
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Review from Paul H (Son of Resident) published on 29 May 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very caring, kind people, they all look after people so well in a job that is not always easy to do.
A credit to the Caring Homes Group
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Review from Bettina C B (Daughter of Resident) published on 22 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have found all the staff at Firtree House very kind and caring to my sister, and also the manager is lovely. I visit my sister most days and the manager always makes sure I have a lunch with my sister. Everyone at Firtree House is helpful and they all get on so well.
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Review from Martin P (Son of Resident) published on 6 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Firtree House Care Home with Nursing is a well run and spacious home with a choice of rooms and garden for my mother to sit in. Her room is large and in a quiet area of the home.
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Review from Paul G (Son of Resident) published on 16 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
In my opinion, the care provided for my mother is as I have indicated below. Lately, there has been quite a turnover of staff which leads to feelings of insecurity and sadness with the constant change over of staff. The area of weakness, in my opinion, is in the organisation of activities which appear
to be dwindling. In my opinion, this is the one area Firtree standards slip which is a shame in what is otherwise a good home. Staff are good, friendly, caring people. Unfortunately, don't seem to have the time to sit and chat with my mum for say 5-10 minutes, which leaves her lonely and bored.
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Review from Linda K (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
20 months ago, my 92 year old mother was admitted to Firtree following a stay in hospital. When discharged, she was very poorly. She has been so well cared for that she is much better in herself, is happy, relaxed and feels totally safe. This is very reassuring considering she never wanted to go into
a nursing home. We are absolutely delighted with her care. The management, nurses and carers are a totally dedicated team, always helpful and approachable. It is obvious the staff respect the manager who is never afraid to be "hands on". The home is friendly, welcoming, very clean and a happy atmosphere. There are never any unpleasant smells sometimes associated with nursing homes. We are so glad to have chosen Firtree instead of others visited and thoroughly recommend it.
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Review from Alan B (Resident) published on 2 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I came into Firtree House Care Home for one week's respite and I have to say my stay here was wonderful. The staff cannot do enough for you, they are friendly, caring and take time out for their busy day to make you feel welcome.
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Review from Jane Q (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 October 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at Firtree House Care Home with Nursing were exceptional. Every time I contacted them, they were helpful, friendly and very supportive and also to me and my family, a very difficult time. There was a very caring ethos at the home and I was very happy that my father was in good hands.
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Review from Mary B (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been a resident of Firtree House for 2 months and I have been very impressed, with the quality of care and the dedication of the staff. The home is clean, comfortable and everyone is very pleasant and willing. They ensure my mother's needs are met and give me peace of mind that she is
in a safe and secure environment 24/7.
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Review from Betty H (Friend of Resident) published on 30 June 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I found the staff and care given to my friend very good. Very caring and helpful.
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Review from Jane B (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My mother was happy here and we were very pleased wit the care and attention she was given. She was always clean and well fed and treated with respect and dignity even though I know she could be very difficult at times.
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Review from Sandra A (Sister of Resident) published on 8 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My sister has been very happy here. The staff are extremely kind and she has had wonderful care. I wish she had come here earlier.
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Review from Lynn M (Daughter of Resident) published on 6 April 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Devoted, kind and caring staff who give so much care and love to their charges and also their families.
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Review from Sandra B (Daughter of Resident) published on 21 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
As a family we couldn't have wished for better care and dignity of my mothers last 2 months of her life. A big thank you to you all at Firtree.
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Review from M S (Husband of Resident) published on 12 January 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My wife was a resident at Firtree House for 25 years. In all this time she was cared for and loved by everyone. All her needs were met extremely well and her traumatic life was made much more bearable by the kind care and attention given by all at Firtrees. My family and I have also been through some
hard times and the manager and staff always found the time to support us. I can whole-heartedly recommend Firtree for the love and care that they provide.
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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.589)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.589) out of 10 for Firtree House Nursing Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 11 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 10 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 4.589 for Firtree House Nursing Home is calculated as follows: ( (95 Excellents x 5) + (22 Goods x 4) + (7 Satisfactorys x 3) + (3 Poors x 2) + (2 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 129 Ratings = 4.589
  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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Firtree House Nursing Home is based on 10 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 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
    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 50 registered maximum number of service users is 10, which has been reached with 10 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: 4 Mar 2023

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Requires improvement
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Requires improvement
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 (2)

Meet the Team (2)

Jackie

Jackie Cullip

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2009

As Home Manager of Firtree House, I lead a professional staff team in delivering the highest standards of nursing care for up to 42 elderly people.


Having started as a Care Assistant at Firtree House over 15 years ago, and working my way up to Home Manager, I understand what makes the home tick. I firmly believe in involving residents and their families in every aspect of life at the home. This approach has ensured the large property has maintained a homely feel, as highlighted in a recent report by the Care Quality Commission.


My Care Team and I work with each resident to develop a personalised care plan, which caters for their specific needs and ensures that residents have choice and control over how their care is delivered.


I am particularly passionate about getting to know residents and their families and feel that having a good understanding of each resident’s background is essential in building a relationship of trust. I always encourage family involvement through a culture of open communication, which has resulted in the calm and friendly atmosphere experienced at Firtree House.


I live just a few miles from Firtree House and, outside work, I like to take full advantage of the rural life that the local area offers. I enjoy reading, swimming and socialising with family and friends.

Mira

Mira Rusu

Job Title: Clinical Lead

I find my job very rewarding, ensuring that we provide the highest standard of care to our residents and help them to live a happy satisfying life. Firtree is where my heart is and I feel like I am at home working here.

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