
Very impressive, thank youP S(Wife of Resident/Service User)

A big happy family for residents and staff alikeF S(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

We are both made to feel part of a family, with great kindness and respect.Janet(Wife of Resident/Service User)

Very impressive, thank youP S(Wife of Resident/Service User)

A big happy family for residents and staff alikeF S(Daughter of Resident/Service User)

We are both made to feel part of a family, with great kindness and respect.Janet(Wife of Resident/Service User)

A stone’s throw from Exmouth Beach, Fernihurst has an excellent reputation, with a team devoted to enriching the lives of their residents. Providing nursing, dementia and palliative care, respite care breaks are also available.
The team are dedicated to creating wonderful activities and experiences for their residents. The maintenance man created a workshop for them to enjoy woodwork and tinkering. And he even built a Tiki bar for happy hour!...
Care Provided by Fernihurst Nursing Home
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 50 Service Users
Dementia Care TypesMild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
Mild Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "mild dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Memory problems such as misplacing items and not be able to recall recent events (however, in some forms of dementia a person's memory may be unchanged)
- Difficulties thinking through problems and planning, making decisions
- Language and communication issues such as finding it difficult to recall the appropriate word in a conversation or following a conversation
- Poor orientation, getting lost in areas previously familiar to them
- Difficulty judging distances (more falls than usual)
- Changes in their normal mood including anxiety and depression
- In certain types of dementia, personality and behaviour changes may be present alongside or instead of issues with memory or concentration.
Moderate Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "moderate dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Worsened memory problems. Not always recognising own family members and friends. Repeating the same questions over and over again
- Worsened language and communication issues, forgetting what they are saying mid-sentence. Not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- More frequent confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Advanced Dementia
Someone living with our definition of "severe dementia" might experience some or all of the following:
- Severe memory problems. Not recognising family members and friends. Not being able to recall their own name
- Severe language and communication issues, not being able to understand what someone else is saying
- Severe confusion, e.g. about the time of day or where they are, including their own home
- Apathy, depression and anxiety
- Believing things that aren't true (paranoia)
- Frequent hallucinations
- Lack of emotional control, quick to anger, fearfulness, sadness
- Loss of inhibition
- Difficulties sleeping or waking during the night and behaving as though it is daytime - loss of circadian rhythm.
Verbally or physically aggressive behaviour
If your loved one displays this type of behaviour you may need a care home that has specially trained staff. Verbal/physical aggression is often defined:
- Consistent shouting and screaming
- Verbal abuse
- Physical abuse
How we define Dementia Care Types
- Mild Dementia
- Moderate Dementia
- Advanced/Complex Dementia
Other Care Provided
- Palliative / End of Life Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Smoking not permitted
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Our weekly fees are individual to each of our residents and are subject to a pre-admission assessment, which is required to understand the level of care and support needed. Our 2025 weekly care fees for nursing care start at £1600, but may be in the region of 30% more*. This depends on your care needs and the type of bedroom that is right for you, from our standard rooms through to our premium bedroom options.
*If you require more specialist care such as 1-2-1 support, your weekly fee could be higher.
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Fernihurst Nursing Home for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Fernihurst Nursing 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)
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 £267.68 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Sanctuary Care Ltd
- Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
Person in charge
- David Sarreira (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2011
Room Information
- Single Rooms (50)
Fernihurst Nursing Home Reviews (93)
Fernihurst Nursing Home has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.834) out of 10, based on 23 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Fernihurst Nursing Home has 93 reviews.
Since he's been at Fernihurst he's been treated with nothing but respect, kindness and his individual needs are met every single day. The activities are amazing.
He and mum celebrated their 60th anniversary recently and the home went above and beyond to ensure they celebrated with a personalised meal of their favourite foods in a room decorated with love.
Dad is happy content and settled we couldn't ask for anything more.
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. The team are honoured to have your dad with them at Fernihurst and it's wonderful to hear how they helped your family to celebrate such a special milestone and ensure it was a memorable day. We will be sure to pass on your kind words, thank you again for such wonderful feedback.
It is a relief to know that my husband is well looked after. The staff are always very kind and friendly and willing to go the extra mile when help is needed, especially the medical team, who keep me updated. Management is friendly and very approachable, making it easy to raise any issues I have regarding my husband's care. The food, which I consider to be an important part of care, seems to be based on a well-balanced diet and plenty, but I am not there for all meals.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review for Fernihurst. We're so pleased to hear that you are happy with the care your husband is receiving, the team will be delighted to read your positive feedback.
A warm, friendly and professional welcome from staff when I visit my wife.
Immediate willingness to help from carers, nurses and staff when queries and problems are brought to their attention.
Carers, nurses and staff who treat residents in a friendly, professional manner and who have an extraordinary ability to change, in an instant, how they deal with the behaviour of residents, depending on how the resident is behaving.
I appreciate that my wife is generally calm and free from anxiety and enjoys participating in the many good variety of activities provided.
Thanks.
Thank you for your kind words about the team at Fernihurst, they will be touched to read your comments. We're so glad to hear that your wife is calm, happy, and enjoys the activities. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
The home is bright and cheerful. All the staff are superb, caring at all times an always alert. I would happily come here when the time comes!
Thank you for your wonderful five star review for Fernihurst, the team will be thrilled to read your comments.
Thank you for letting me be able to go back to being a daughter rather than being a carer. Mum had always made me promise to never put her in a home, so this was the hardest promise I've ever had to break but the team at Fernihurst have been wonderful. Not only have they catered to her every nursing need, they've also catered to her emotional needs. She feels safe, I trust that she is safe and we cannot fault the care. They all go above and beyond to make her happy. She has settled well and her being there has taken a massive weight off my shoulders.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a beautiful review for Fernihurst, we will be sure to pass this onto the team who will be delighted to read your kind words about your mother's care.
After several years in Fernihurst Nursing Home, they continue to support my brother with kindness and compassion, often in challenging circumstances. There is always a warm welcome from the team. They are very supportive of relatives and help you along your relative's care home journey. 100% recommend the team at Fernihurst without hesitation. Thank you to the whole team!
Thank you for your five star review for Fernihurst, the team will be touched to read your kind words.
I can not thank Furnihurst enough. My grandma is so happy and so settled, the care staff are fantastic nothing is ever a problem for them. The nurses work very hard and they are available at any point when we need them, the activities are very inviting for all residents and staff love to get involved with the activities I can see how happy they are. Management are always willing to help with anything I require and we are always offered tea and coffee. The home is welcoming and I have been around for a few cocktail afternoons. This is lovely to see everyone engage and enjoy themselves. Grandma's room is homely and kept very clean and tidy. The maintenance man is always ready when we want to add more photos. I could not wish for a better home for Grandma. Thank you to everyone at Fernihurst.
Thank you for your wonderful review our team at Fernihurst will be very proud to read your comments - and we are delighted you have been able to join us for our cocktail afternoon!
Have no complaints. The food is very good and the staff are excellent. It's clean.
Mum passed away last night after 2.5 happy years at Fernihurst. We cannot praise highly enough her personal and nursing care during her last 3 weeks. We were kept informed throughout about her progress, doctor’s visits, medication, and the process. All her care was delivered with compassion, dignity and tenderness. No effort was spared to support us and our family, with refreshments, hugs, privacy or comfort as needed during this difficult time. Her room was set up on her final day as a special, calm, sensory experience for us to be together peacefully and it really helped. The whole team has been outstanding, from behind the scenes on reception, in the offices, laundry and kitchens, to the floor staff, cleaners, carers, activity organisers and nurses. Mum loved all her carers and importantly, knew she was loved by them. Looking after people with advanced dementia is a special skill. Every single staff member at Fernihurst goes above and beyond, they are a credit to their organisation.
Thank you for leaving such a beautiful review, especially at such a difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss and our team at Fernihurst will be so proud to hear your heartfelt words about how they cared for your mother.
Mum was referred to Fernihurst following a stay in hospital. From the minute she arrived she was treated as though she had always been there. The team made both Mum and us as a family welcome on every visit. Whilst only there for 3 weeks before passing away they made those weeks good for her with activities that allowed her to leave us with lasting memories. We were able to be with her at the end and were made to feel welcome at all times with tea and sandwiches, biscuits and cake being offered. We will always be grateful for this and for the dignity Mum was allowed and given over this difficult time.
She is always happy and content when I visit, she is clean and dressed nicely. Her bedroom is homely and kept very clean. The chef goes above and beyond to offer her different meals to encourage her to eat.
I am very happy with the care and the home..very reassured!
When my mum came to Fernihurst, I was so worried about how she would settle. However, every member of staff has been so reassuring to me and very caring to my mum. Every area is clean and has a very relaxed feel. The activities they do are excellent. Most of all, Mum is happy, settled, looked after and safe.
My mum moved into Fernihurst early October, she has settled in well. The manager and her staff are very kind and considerate. I am always updated on how my mother is. They treat my mother with respect, kindness and politeness. Fernihurst is a lovely, clean home and the staff are friendly. Since my mother has come here I have not worried, as I know she is well looked after and safe.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review on Fernihurst. It's heartwarming to hear how well your mother has settled and how the team have supported you at every step. I'll be sure to pass on your feedback, thank you again.
I have nothing but praise for every member of staff. They have a very caring and happy sense of humour. As a veteran serviceman, I can honestly say their order of dress is first class (very smart). They are a credit to the care home.
I am very happy Grandma has settled well and she is so happy and well looked after.
We can go and see her anytime which is very helpful.
Thank you so much for your review. It is so wonderful to hear that your grandma is settling in so well with us. Best wishes
Well organised, with good interaction, very friendly and positive evening, well prepared and presented food with plenty for all. It was so lovely to see my mother-in-law looking healthy and happy and enjoying the event.
Thank you for your wonderful review of Fernihurst Nursing Home. Best wishes.
Fernihurst has a wonderful family feel about it. The staff are friendly, fun and so very caring. I can honestly say they are the reason Grandma is so settled now. The new ways they find to engage residents and their families is fantastic and I always feel so welcomed whenever I visit.
Very caring and helpful.
Since my mother was admitted, she has been treated with care and kindness, particularly during the initial settling in period. Although my mother is not always interested in food, she is always offered whatever she would like and it always looks nicely presented. The room is always clean and tidy, bed linen seems to be changed regularly. Overall, we are happy that Mum is well cared for and in a safe environment.
My mom is very happy and well cared for. The staff are always pleasant and caring. She is very close to the staff.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 01 July 2021Good
- CaringGood
- EffectiveGood
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeGood
- Well-ledGood
Inspection ratings
We rate most services according to how safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led they are, using four levels:
- Outstanding - The service is performing exceptionally well.
- Good - The service is performing well and meeting our expectations.
- Requires Improvement - The service isn't performing as well as it should and we have told the service how it must improve.
- Inadequate - The service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it.
- Not rated - we have not yet rated this area of the service, this is normally because the assessments we have carried out have been focused on other key questions.
Bed Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (1) & Events (0)
- 12 Nov 2025
Fernihurst Nursing Home in Douglas Avenue has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award, in recognition of the excellent end-of-life care the devoted team provides. Manager...
There are no upcoming events for Fernihurst Nursing Home.
Awards / Recognitions (10)
- 21 Jul 2026Recipient: Sanctuary Care Ltd
- 30 Jan 2026Recipient: Sanctuary Care Ltd
- 31 Jan 2025Recipient: Sanctuary Care Ltd
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Fernihurst Nursing Home.
Meet the Team (7)

My name is Nikki, and I am the manager at Fernihurst Nursing Home.
I have been in the care industry for 38 years, supporting care services throughout Devon and Somerset. I have won the Care Home Managers' Award in East Devon for Outstanding Person-centred care for the Enhanced Health in Care Homes Programme. I have achieved the Top 20 Care Home Award in Southwest England.
During my career, I worked hard to turn around inadequate care homes, which I have achieved. I believe in creating a workplace where staff are listened to, valued, and supported. I believe that if the staff are empowered to deliver their best, this directly impacts the quality of care the residents receive, being the highest standard of compassionate person-centred careI am very passionate about my job. When I am not at work, I like to spend time with my family. I am married to a Police sergeant and have 3 children who are all grown up, we enjoy holidays together and creating memories. I am also passionate about gardening and spending time outdoors.

My professional journey has taken many paths before ultimately leading me to my true vocation as a nurse. I began my career in Trinidad, serving in a paramilitary organisation under the Ministry of National Security, where I developed discipline, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility. I later gained international experience working with Royal Caribbean in the hospitality industry, before returning home to work in the oil and gas sector as a Fire Rescue Technician.
Each of these roles shaped me, building strong leadership skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to remain calm and compassionate under pressure.
Despite my varied career background and many achievements, nursing older people has always been my calling. Caring for the elderly is not just a profession to me - it is a purpose rooted in empathy, respect, and human connection.
I am a Registered Nurse and currently the Nurse Manager at Fernihurst Nursing Home. Working at Fernihurst has allowed me to develop a deep and meaningful understanding of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, neurodivergent conditions, and the behavioural and psychological challenges associated with complex needs. This experience has strengthened my commitment to compassionate, person-centred care that honours dignity, individuality, and life history.
The journey has not always been easy, but it has been deeply rewarding. The consistent support of my team and senior management has made this transition smoother - not just for me, but for the whole team. At Fernihurst, we work closely with external professionals, health and social care partners, and our local community to ensure that each resident’s care is truly optimised and always delivered in their best interests.
Fernihurst holds a special place in my heart. Its rich cultural diversity reflects Sanctuary’s values of equality, inclusion, and respect, and it creates a sense of belonging for residents, families, and staff alike. For many, Fernihurst is their home, and within these walls, we are more than colleagues- we are an extended family, united by compassion, trust, and a shared commitment to providing the highest standard of care.

I have worked at Fernihurst for over 8 years.
My job role working with the residents and family members is very rewarding, no two days are the same.
We have very welcoming staff, and we all work together as one big family. It is a pleasure to be part of the team.

Coming from a retail manager's position after 20 years, a change in career led me to our home. Being on reception, I am privileged to get to meet the lovely families and friends of our residents. Being the first "port of call" its obviously important that I make sure that everyone gets a warm welcome and queries are dealt with in a friendly and timely manner.

I came to the UK in 2024 for a change in career direction, as I was previously employed in the public health sector in the Philippines. Now that I am doing bedside nursing, I have learned a lot, and it has broadened my horizon in relation to my profession, and I have also enhanced my skills.
Being employed under Sanctuary Care, specifically in Fernihurst, is a blessing for me because it has given me opportunities not only to touch lives but also to improve the quality of life of the residents that we are taking care of in our home and also their relatives.

I came to the UK in 2021 as a student and joined Fernihurst under sponsorship in 2023.
My role as a carer allows me to support and care for families' loved ones, and I am proud to be part of the Fernihurst team.

I came alone from Zimbabwe in 2023 to work at Fernihurst. I was worried that life would be lonely, and working with strangers would be hard, but it all changed from the very 1st welcome from the Sanctuary/Fernihurst Team. Working here has been amazing and fun. I have learnt so much from my colleagues; it is a blessing to work with such great people.
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