






Hawksyard Priory Nursing Home nestles in stunning Staffordshire countryside just outside Rugeley, 9 miles south-west of Stafford. The building was made for caring. Originally a working Dominican Priory, it has been converted into one of the most beautiful and well-appointed care homes in the UK. This tranquil environment is the perfect setting for residents to live well and for the compassionate and professional team to provide the highest levels of care 24 hours a day.
Care Provided by St Thomas' Priory
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 106 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
- Parkinson's Disease
- Stroke
- Palliative / End of Life Care
- COPD/Pulmonary Disease
- Bariatric Care/Obesity
- Convalescent Care
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Stairlift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Contact St Thomas' Priory 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)
Good to Know
Group / Owner
- Advantage Retirement Homes
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Paul Smith (Home Manager)
Local Authority / Social Services
Admission Information
- Mixed with both male-only and female-only unit(s)
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: No
- Last Refurbishment: 2007
Room Information
- Single Rooms (60)
- Couples/Companion Rooms (23)
- Single Rooms with ensuite Wet Room (4)
St Thomas' Priory Reviews (16)
St Thomas' Priory has a Review Score of 8.4 (8.374) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time St Thomas' Priory has 16 reviews.
The entire place has been redecorated to a very high standard and taste. I doubt many of the residents will have experienced such quality in their own homes..
Wonderful wide corridors filled with natural light..clean and cozy cushioned for day time sitting.
Catering I have received NO complaints from her, or about the staff, the cleanliness all is good, from serial grumbler this is something.
Personally I have found the staff to be welcoming helpful and efficient..this includes the office staff, catering ,maintenance crew, cleaners/carers ...nurses and entertainment providers.
When I require this assistance .it'd be my choice.
Lots of activities for the residents and a lovely place to visit.
Mum was slowly slipping away with all that accompanies the Frailty at 96 but the care given by the staff was beyond the call of duty, nothing was too much trouble.
The senior staff who supervised the medication always offered news and updated daily on mums condition which was a great comfort to us as family and they offered guidance when the end finally approached
Altogether nothing could have been done better, and as far as other residents and facilities go there was an overall feeling that everyone was happy, lots going on with a full programme of activities and facilities for those who chose to join in.The building was a Priory and as such was well laid out with individual rooms and wonderful cloister corridor for exercise and security all set in landscape woodlands and is highly recommended
St Thomas Priory is currently undergoing a refurbishment and it is very impressive. There has been big improvements here with the new owners. Mom's room is very bright and we have been able to take alot of her belongings to make her room feel more like 'home'. There is a lovely outlook over trees and fields. We are very pleased with the care Mom is receiving and we are so greatful how she has been made to feel like part of the family. Staff and Management have recognised her individual care needs and as difficult as mom can be at times, the staff always try their best for her, keeping us informed along the way. Mom is encouraged by staff to join in the daily varied activities and entertainment. We can also join in with this too. We feel that Mom is safe and comfortable and we can call and visit whenever we want to.
We would 100% recommend St Thomas Priory.
My parents were put in here as unable to fend for themselves at home, unable to stand or walk etc. I live in Australia so I had a month's stay and visited them most weekdays, very pleased with the care they are receiving of all staff from upper management to the cleaner ladies and lovely lady gardener. There have been vast improvements here with new owners in all aspects. The meals are 5 stars, and personal care 5 stars, I'm very pleased they are well cared for as I live far away.
Thank you for looking after and caring for my mother in very difficult circumstances. I have only very good feelings towards the care my mother has received at Hawkesyard Care Centre.
I cannot thank this home enough for looking after my dear father, right until the end, you treated him with such dignity and respect. Made sure he was comfortable and not in any pain, and made sure we were OK. Thank you so much, I would highly recommend this home.
Thank you so much for your kind words about our home. We loved being part of your family and looking after your relative with you. The staff team send all their best wishes.
The care staff are wonderful. Unfortunately, the management leaves a lot to be desired, communication is awful. Have contacted DST separately. Front of House is fantastic.
Staff at Hawksyard are brilliant, so much so that I have managed to get my brother residing there albeit on a different floor. I have no been able to view rooms and personalise for them due to Covid. I contact the home on a daily basis to ask how both are. I know it is extra hard for the staff as we can't come in and help out. Many thanks to all.
Mum and Dad have both been extremely happy here. Above all, they have felt safe after much difficulty in their own home. I know they both regarded the staff as friends and nothing has been too much as far as the staff are concerned. Mum has now died and Dad has dementia. Care is always delivered with kindness, compassion and humour; which I feel is very valuable. Although this year has been upsetting and difficult, I feel able to contact staff and talk at length about the physical and mental state of Dad as there have been no visits until more recently. The home is always flexible for individual needs and the recent changes in every aspect of the running of Hawksyard, are impressive. Activities for the residents are wonderful and encouraging, though never forced, and staff are mindful of the mood and energy of each resident. When things are normal (ie not in Covid times) I know I can visit at any time and I am always contacted promptly with any issues. Hawksyard is a blessing.
Caring home in a tranquil, beautiful setting. Good contact with regular updates on residents. A close friends' father is currently a resident and is taken care of with dignity. What is so wonderful is that his personality is recognised and he is made to feel like he is important.
Care staff are outstanding. The office staff (front of house) are lovely. However, management and the level of communication between management is awful. Little interest in the relatives of residents' concerns. Not enough staff, not addressed by management. Contacted district safeguarding separately with management concerns, as no correspondence with home.
As you are aware we have a new management team that started at the beginning of May due to the previous Manager and Deputy Manager leaving. We are optimistic that the communication will now...
Very friendly and accomodating reception staff. My husband has been looked after extremely well, even though he can be very difficult. Always clean, showed and looks healthy. If he has to become a perminate resident, I would certainly like him to stay at Hawksyard.
Thank you for the kind words. We hope that we can continue looking after your family members while they need residential care, we love having you and them as part of our family!
I have always been confident that she has been well looked after by all staff who have been involved with her care.
We truly appreciate all your help and support in looking after her.
I cannot speak highly enough of Hawksyard Priory Nursing Home. The commitment shown by all the staff to the care and comfort of my husband was exemplary. We, as a family, were welcomed into their ‘family’ with warmth and affection and their kindness and compassion will not be forgotten.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 26 January 2026Requires improvement
- CaringGood
- EffectiveRequires improvement
- ResponsiveGood
- SafeRequires improvement
- Well-ledRequires improvement
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 (0) & Events (0)
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Awards / Recognitions (0)
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Accreditations
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Meet the Team (0)
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Frequently Asked Questions about St Thomas' Priory
What types of Care is St Thomas' Priory registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Mental Health Condition, Physical Disability are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does St Thomas' Priory have?
There are 60 Single Rooms and 23 Couples/Companion Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at St Thomas' Priory?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Near Public Transport, Lift, Stairlift, Wheelchair Access, Gardens, Bar/Café, Residents Kitchenette, Phone Point in own room, Television point in own room, Residents Internet Access are some of the Facilities & Services.
How far is St Thomas' Priory to the centre of Rugeley?
1.9 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.
Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact St Thomas' Priory to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. St Thomas' Priory has an Enhanced Service -more info.