
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.
Very impressive, thank you.
When father-in-law became a resident, my husband and I were relieved to be able to hand over the nursing care and everyday care to the home. It had become increasingly difficult for us to provide for father-in-law's needs, but they were beautifully catered for by all the wonderful staff at the nursing home. He was treated throughout with care and compassion. His end of life care was beautifully managed.
The team at Fernihurst were fantastic. Warm and friendly and conscientious. I was very impressed with the general environment in the home and pleased that my grandfather can be in a place so clearly suitable for his needs. A few of the things I liked most, included that each resident gets their own 'front door', the well thought out living space and the garden. Whilst it's more stressful for my dad having a father with Dementia, it's still stressful for us grandchildren, and I feel I can rest more easily knowing my grandfather is with such caring people in such a pleasant environment. Thanks to all of the team.
My mother has been here for nearly 5 years. She is really well cared for. The staff are so kind and helpful to us when we visit and are always available to answer any queries we may wish to discuss with them. The home is always clean, warm and a very happy place to be.
My family and I think the staff are very nice and helpful. Mum has been here for over four years. She is very comfortable.
Myself, I think the home is very nice and I am happy she is in Fernihurst, as she cannot be at home with us.
Nursing and care staff are friendly and informative compassionate and respectful. A warm and caring environment. A big happy family for residents and staff alike.
Mum was very anxious and agitated. The carers on duty showed her kindness and gave her the attention and care she needed until she was in a better frame of mind. She was made a cup of coffee and music was put on to keep her calm. Which was a wonderful way to help mum cope.
My 92-year-old mum spent a short time in Furnihurst Nursing Home before her sudden death.
I have to say that we were greeted very warmly by the staff and felt greatly assured that mum had the necessary care she needed whilst living with the lovely staff at Furnihurst. Dementia is a very heartless disease but all patients were treated with respect and always a smiling face. The home is bright, airy and modern. Great staff.
Thank you to all the staff who cared for mum in her last difficult days.
Such excellent and caring attention to my aunt in her last 18 months. Staff were compassionate and supportive. The home was very well managed and always clean. Good food always available. Thoroughly recommended.
To place your loved one into a home after caring for him for 8 years with dementia is a very big step to take. I searched hard and long for such a place. I live in Exeter and my loved one is 20 miles away (round trip). But when I walked into this home, I felt at once it was the right place. He has been at Fernihurst for almost 4 years and I truly would not have him anywhere else. We are both made to feel part of a family, with great kindness and respect.
My mum had severe Vascular Dementia as well as medical problems. She passed away on February 13th 2016. 'Fernihurst Nursing Home' gave Mum the best end of life care that was possible in the terrible situation with so many problems she had. I could not have coped had it not been for the care home manager and all the staff who cared for her with dignity and compassion and no matter how busy, they always made time to talk to me which was a great comfort at a most difficult time, always keeping me informed on everything that was being done to keep Mum pain-free. I and the rest of the family can never thank them enough.
My father has been at Fernihurst since Christmas 2014. We had little time to find a care home when dad was released from hospital back in a late 2014. I wondered if I had done the right thing in going for Fernihurst after one visit but time and again I have felt that I made the right choice. They really care. The home is friendly and my father is treated with care and respect. He is happy and really well looked after. I am so glad that I found Fernihurst.
The management and staff are helpful, very friendly and dedicated to their duties, family and friends are always made welcome at anytime. I can highly recommend to future residents and their families.
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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