





The home is part of the family-owned & operated Bethany House Group, which emphasises a warm, individualised environment and offers 24-hour nursing care, dementia support, private gardens and specialist equipment.
Located in Yewbarrow Close on the outskirts of Whitehaven in Cumbria, Bethshan Nursing Home is a 37-bed, purpose-built facility positioned with scenic views over the St Bees hills.
Bethshan prioritises resident wellbeing via en-suite rooms, three comfortable communal lounges, a...
Care Provided by Bethshan
Primary Care Categories
- Older Person Care
- Dementia
- Learning Disability / Autism
- Mental Health Condition
- Physical Disability
- Visual / Hearing Impairment
Length of Stay
- Permanent Care
- Respite Care
Care Types Provided
- Residential Care
- Nursing Care
- Dementia Residential Care
- Dementia Nursing Care
- For a maximum of 37 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
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
- Day Care
Facilities
- Own Furniture if required
- Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
- Close to Local shops
- Near Public Transport
- Lift
- Wheelchair Access
- Gardens
- Bar/Café
- Residents Kitchenette
- Phone Point in own room
- Television point in own room
- Residents Internet Access
Funding & Fees
Weekly Charges per Person
Hairdressing, Podiatry, Ear-Syringing not included in standard fees
The price(s) shown are provided by the care home. Contact Bethshan for full pricing details and T&Cs.
Contact Bethshan 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
Owner
- Bethshan Nursing Home Ltd
- Private Owned
Person in charge
- Emma Smyth (Registered Manager)
Admission Information
- Ages 65+
Care Home Design/Build
- Purpose Built: Yes
- Year Purpose Built: 2010
- Last Refurbishment: 2025
- Number of floors: 2
Room Information
- Single Rooms (37)
Visiting
- They request that visiting is avoided around meal times for example 9am-10am, 12pm-1pm and 4pm-5pm.
Parking
- Free parking is available at the front and the back of the home.
Regulatory Rating
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating
Date: 02 May 2018Good
- 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 (0) & Events (0)
There are no news items for Bethshan.
There are no upcoming events for Bethshan.
Awards / Recognitions (0)
There are currently no awards/recognitions posted yet for Bethshan.
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for Bethshan.
Meet the Team (8)

Rachel is a dedicated Director and Nominated Individual, bringing a unique blend of professional expertise and personal insight to the care sector.
With a degree in Business Management and a proven track record in commercial departments, projects and programmes, Rachel combines strategic thinking with a deep understanding of operational excellence.
Her journey in care began at just four years old, when her parents opened their first care home. Growing up in that environment fostered a lifelong commitment to quality, compassion, and the well-being of others.
As a Nominated Individual, Rachel acts as the essential link between the care service and the regulatory body, ensuring the organisation meets — and exceeds — the highest standards. In this role, she takes responsibility for compliance, safeguarding, and maintaining a culture of accountability, making sure that the people in care receive safe, respectful, and effective support.
Guided by both head and heart, Rachel is committed to building services that are not only fully compliant but also places where people feel valued, respected, and supported.

Daniel has grown up in the care industry, giving him a deep understanding of what it takes to create safe, supportive, and homely environments for residents. His lifelong connection to the sector shapes the values and dedication he brings to his role as Director at Bethany House Group.
A joiner by trade, Daniel has a practical nature and a strong work ethic. He’s never happier than when rolling up his sleeves—whether that’s getting hands-on with a project, supporting the maintenance team, helping colleagues, or ensuring residents’ needs are met to the highest standard.
Daniel’s combination of industry knowledge, practical skills, and genuine passion for care makes him a driving force behind Bethany House Group’s commitment to providing homes where people feel valued, respected, and truly at home.

I have worked in care for 22 years, starting as a carer and working my way up to management. Along the way, I’ve trained hard, completed a degree in social work, and embraced every challenge as an opportunity to grow.
This journey has taught me not only about compassion and leadership, but also about the true meaning of supporting others. I
I’ve learned, stumbled, and grown at every stage, discovering just how much of myself I can give to the people I care for and the teams I lead.
I take my role very seriously — because I know the trust placed in us is precious. For me, care isn’t just a job; it’s a commitment to making every day meaningful for the people who call our home, home.

Naomi is the Learning and Compliance Manager at The Bethany House Group, joining in June 2025. With a career in Health and Social Care since 2004, she has worked across Domiciliary and Residential Care, supporting everyone from children with learning disabilities to older adults with complex needs.
Having grown up in care from the age of 5, Naomi brings a deeply personal understanding of the importance of compassionate, person-centred support. She holds the Registered Manager’s Award, plus HNC and HND qualifications in Business Management, and is committed to fostering a culture of learning, excellence, and respect for every individual.

Since 2018, I have been part of the Bethany House Group, beginning my career as an apprentice and steadily progressing through various roles. In 2024, I was promoted to Office Manager, where I took on greater responsibilities and supported the team.
Throughout my time with the organisation, I have completed relevant training to enhance my skills and ensure I can provide the highest level of support to colleagues and service users. I enjoy working for the Bethany House Group as the whole team are dedicated, kind and passionate about the care we provide.

Stuart's career in hospitality began at the age of 15, starting out as a pot washer before working my way up to Assistant Manager of a hotel. My passion for cooking was discovered unexpectedly when a chef called in sick and I stepped in to help.
Having learned every dish on the menu, I quickly realised I had a real talent – and love – for cooking. I’ve proudly worked with Bethany House Group for over 17 years (on and off), and it truly feels like home. While I’m employed by the group, I see myself as being in our residents’ home.
My goal is always to create delicious, home-cooked meals tailored to their individual needs, while also bringing a bit of creativity with different cakes and bakes.
Since becoming a chef in a care home, I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else. I love what I do, and I’m passionate about making mealtimes something residents can enjoy and look forward to every day.

Christina Beattie is a dedicated Head Housekeeper with over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. Beginning her career as a cleaning supervisor and trainer, she built a reputation for high standards, attention to detail, and a commitment to creating safe, welcoming environments.
In her current managerial role, Christina combines hands-on industry knowledge with leadership skills to ensure her team delivers exceptional service. She is passionate about maintaining both operational efficiency and the comfort of residents, fostering a workplace culture built on respect, reliability, and pride in the work.

I love being an activity coordinator in a nursing home and residential home because it allows me to bring joy, purpose, and connection to the lives of our residents every day. After 23 years with The Bethany House Group, this role has become so much more than a job—it’s a passion that I take great pride in. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know so many wonderful individuals, each with their own stories, talents, and needs, and creating activities that engage their minds, lift their spirits, and make them feel valued is incredibly rewarding.
I hold a Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care, as well as business and customer service qualifications, which have all helped me grow both personally and professionally in my role. I’m also looking forward to undertaking more training specifically around activities so I can continue to develop and bring even more creative, meaningful experiences to those I support.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bethshan
What types of Care is Bethshan registered for?
Older Person Care, Dementia, Learning Disability / Autism, Mental Health Condition, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment are the registered (by the Care Quality Commission) categories of Care.
How many Rooms does Bethshan have?
There are 37 Single Rooms.
What are the Facilities & Services at Bethshan?
Own Furniture if required, Pet Friendly (or by arrangement), Close to Local shops, Near Public Transport, Lift, 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 Bethshan to the centre of Whitehaven?
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 Bethshan to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Bethshan has an Enhanced Service -more info.