The Orchard Nursing Home

129-135 Camp Road, St Albans AL1 5HL
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9.7 106 Reviews
  • The Orchard Nursing Home, St Albans
The Orchard Nursing Home is located in a quiet residential area of St Albans, with a warm family atmosphere, highly trained staff are available to get to know residents individually offering the highest standards of residential, nursing and dementia care on a permanent and short stay basis.

Staff strive for a blend of compassion and commitment, while the home has many pleasing features to add to the satisfaction of daily lifestyles, including en-suite bedrooms, activity rooms and landscaped sensory gardens.

Following a refurbishment, the nursing home has combined services, furnishings and equipment to ensure a luxurious standard of resident comfort and care in an attractive and restful environment. A bright and spacious interior includes a choice of lounge and quiet areas.
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Care Provided by The Orchard Nursing Home

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Physical Disability
  • Visual / Hearing Impairment
  • Younger Adults

Length of Stay

  • Permanent Care
  • Respite Care

Care Types Provided

  • Residential Care
  • Nursing Care
  • Dementia Residential Care
  • Dementia Nursing Care
  • For a maximum of 63 Service Users

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
  • Convalescent Care
  • Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees What's included?

Weekly Charges per Person

  • Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1495
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1635
  • Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1635
  • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1745
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1595
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1735
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1735
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1845

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

Contact The Orchard 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 £254.06 per week and is usually paid directly to the care home.

Contact The Orchard Nursing Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Dumitru Varzaru (Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Ages 40+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2013
  • Number of floors: 3

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (63)
  • Couples/Companion Rooms (0)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (63)

Visiting

  • Visitors welcome at any time, but The Orchard Nursing Home would encourage visitors to call in advance to ensure that any specific arrangements can be met.

Parking

  • The home has its own car park for visitors.

The Orchard Nursing Home Reviews (106)

9.7

The Orchard Nursing Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.687) out of 10, based on 23 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Orchard Nursing Home has 106 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 75
  • 28
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 106
  • 8
  • 10
  • 23
  • 83
Reviewer Connection to The Orchard Nursing Home
  • 42
  • 22
  • 6
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 3
  • 3
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
Total of 106, showing 61-80
Review from Diana A (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 June 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
During the lockdown, all staff have gone ‘over and above’ to keep families in contact with their loved ones and to give comfort and support to all residents. Video calls have been particularly important at this time. The Well Being Team, in particular, has constantly thought up innovative ways to keep
residents occupied and happy. I would have no hesitation in recommending The Orchard, to any family considering such a move.
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Review from E B (Son of Resident) published on 29 June 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My mother suffers from Dementia and has lived here for over 2 years. The care home is well managed and clean. Of particular note, it is pleasing to see the same staff faces every time we visit. This shows they are not reliant on a constant stream of temporary staff, and there is no indication of a high
turnover of staff Indeed the staff appear to all know my mother well.
They have an activities coordinator and activities team who lay on regular activities for the residents. I work full time so can only visit once a week. But they post activity updates on a closed Facebook page, so we can follow activities or news. This is appreciated.
When Coronavirus triggered changes to how people in the UK'S live, The Orchard was well organised restricting access immediately and enabling relatives to video call residents. Not what anyone wants, but necessary at this time.
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Review from Sarah (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 June 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The caring staff are the Homes best asset. We have been touched deeply by the care and kindness of all staff. My Mother has advanced dementia but on weekly video calls, she says how lovely it is there and that she is happy. I’m particularly impressed with how the home have managed Covid - The manager's
background as a nurse has I’m sure been a key part of her leadership in this situation, providing clear protocols and guidance for all, it feels good and all under control. I’ve appreciated her compassionate and professional approach such as assessing Mum in hospital and our phone conversations. The lead nurse on Mums floor is delightful demonstrating compassion and understanding at all times, most memorably when we completed together the advanced care plan for Mum. I appreciate knowing she is well cared for and the staff are responsive to any concerns I may have.
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Review from Andy P (Son of Resident) published on 29 June 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since her admittance to The Orchard in January 2019, Mum has received the very highest standard of care from the team. Mum has multiple issues with communication and thanks to the dedicated work and attention of the staff has been in a place where she is happy and relaxed. The attention to detail,
not just within the current complex situation, but as a matter of good practice is exceptional. My sister and I are very happy and content in the knowledge that our Mum is in the best place and being cared for by carers of the very highest and best standard. Although we have not been able to visit, The Orchard have constantly kept us informed of their situation and how Mum is coping and have been wonderful in their communication to us, with empathy, understanding and concern for our well being as well. The Home Manager sets a very high standard and every member of her team seek to achieve that level with marvellous results.
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Review from Dennis L (Husband of Resident) published on 29 June 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have always found the staff and management to be very caring and efficient. The well-being team have also been fantastic during this difficult time. They have made sure I have been able to see my wife twice a week via FaceTime, which is very reassuring. The standard of housekeeping at all times has
also been very good (also catering and maintenance).
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Review from Christine (Daughter of Resident) published on 29 June 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot speak too highly of The Orchard.
In this current pandemic situation they have been ahead of the curve in terms of processes to keep Covid-19 out of the home; testing staff and residents and especially agency staff and new residents.
The staff treat the residents as friends - they really
do care.
They have put on an amazing range of activities and relatives can see what their loved ones are up to on the Facebook group. They started to do video calls for Mothering Sunday and it was so popular they have continued to offer this a couple of times a week. I see more of my Dad now than I did before the lockdown, without the 300 miles round trip!
I am so pleased that Dad is at The Orchard where he looks happy and comfortable and I know he is safer here than (probably) anywhere else. Thank you, guys!
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Review from P W (Wife of Resident) published on 12 June 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My husband was admitted to The Orchard having been in hospital after he had a fall and broke his hip. He was there for just two happy months, as he needed two people to assist him. I was able to go in each day to help with his lunch until lockdown. Sadly his Parkinsons restricted him badly but the nursing
care was superb. I cannot thank them enough for all his care - next best thing to home.
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Review from Patricia K (Wife of Resident) published on 25 May 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We arranged to visit The Orchard when we realised I could no longer manage the care of my husband. We were very impressed with the way we were greeted and shown around the home and with the general atmosphere. We decided immediately that this was the right place, especially as it was so close to home.
Unfortunately within a week he was taken into hospital where we were told that they could do nothing more for him.
He didn't understand why he was there, because of Alzheimer's, he didn't accept that he needed help I couldn't provide. The staff were very caring and patient with him. The staff are excellent, always friendly, and caring to patients and their families.
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Review from A T (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 March 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother has been welcomed into The Orchard, St Albans. The staff, including administration, have been extremely supportive in this difficult time. There is a good feel to the nursing home as soon as you walk in, and I am happy with the way my mother is being cared for. Some members of the care team
have gone out of their way to make my mother feel welcome. There is a lot of kindness at The Orchard.
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Review from Jacqui H (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We used The Orchard as a respite stay following a hospital stay to enable Dad to regain some strength back. The staff all bent over backwards to make sure he was looked after very well and with dignity and care. His room was spacious with his own ensuite. The food was excellent and he particularly enjoyed
the activities every day. We would have no hesitation in recommending.
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Review from T T (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team here were absolutely fantastic looking after my mum the care that they gave was amazing right up until she passed away. If anybody needs to put their parents here then do it. It was amazing, so calming, so caring.
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Review from G D (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I would like to say my mother was treated with dignity and respect while staying with you and when she passed away.
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Review from F C (Sister of Resident) published on 31 January 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My sister needed nursing care because her terminal cancer meant she could no longer love with me as her needs increased. We predicted her to be there for several months, but she deteriorated very quickly. The care she received in this short time was exemplary.
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Review from M B (Son of Resident) published on 21 January 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff were caring, friendly and very kind to my mother and visiting family members.
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Review from A H (Daughter of Resident) published on 10 December 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mum stayed for two weeks after a hip replacement. It was just what was needed. The staff were really friendly, attentive and adjusted what they did to suit mums needs. Thank you.
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Review from S C (Daughter of Resident) published on 28 October 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot put into words the gratitude we feel towards all the lovely members of staff who cared for my mother. Their dedication, care and sensitivity allowed my mother to see out her final days with dignity and surrounded by lots of love. This wonderful nursing home also cared for us, the family, with
endless cups of tea and support which was invaluable. We have never known such loving, caring people as The Orchard staff and we will be forever thankful for that. What a blessing for us all when we chose them.
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Review from C R (Daughter of Resident) published on 4 October 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A good care home with a high ratio of staff to residents ensuring a safe, caring and nurturing environment even when dementia has made life difficult. Great rooms with good facilities. The activity schedule has also been improving recently so the residents are offered good in-home activities and lovely
trips out.
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Review from J N (Resident) published on 2 October 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Overall my experience of living at the Orchard Nursing Home has been a good and pleasant one. Of course, not all people are at their best all the time. The day staff are excellent and I admire their kindness towards those unable to talk or express what they need.
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Review from M P (Son of Resident) published on 23 September 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My father was looked after with great care and consideration in his last weeks.
Thank you to all the staff at The Orchard.
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Review from N L (Son of Resident) published on 12 September 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The Orchard delivers good support for my mother who is not the easiest or most straight forward of residents! Their activities programme is truly first class and very well received. Food choice and quality has definitely improved of late. Staff very friendly.
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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.687)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.687) out of 10 for The Orchard Nursing Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 23 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 23 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 4.687 for The Orchard Nursing Home is calculated as follows: ( (192 Excellents x 5) + (70 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) + (1 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 268 Ratings = 4.687
  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 The Orchard Nursing Home is based on 23 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 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 63 registered maximum number of service users is 12.6, which has been reached with 23 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: 1 Aug 2019

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • Well-led Good
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 (12)

Meet the Team (3)

Dumitru

Dumitru Varzaru

Job Title: Home Manager

As the Home Manager, I believe that our residents should be treated with the highest quality of care possible and I have the responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. I lead by example and involve myself in the day-to-day life of the home as well as making The Orchard a happy and enjoyable place in which to live and work.

Tubi

Tubi Malawo

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Our carers and nurses are highly skilled, with qualifications to manage all types of care, including residential, nursing and dementia. Within each team, we’re able to offer specialist care for complex conditions.


I bring a wealth of clinical expertise and compassionate leadership, supporting high-quality care and ensuring residents at The Orchard feel safe, respected and well looked after every day.

Natalie

Natalie Collard

Job Title: Customer Relationship Manager

I support families from the first enquiry, offering guidance, reassurance and a warm welcome to help make choosing care at The Orchard feel easier and informed.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of carehome.co.uk. Please contact The Orchard Nursing Home to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Orchard Nursing Home has an Enhanced Service - more info.