Water Mill House Care Home

Rose Lane (Off Red Lion Lane), Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BP
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9.7 118 Reviews
  • Water Mill House Care Home, Hemel Hempstead
Water Mill House Care Home provides expert care to adults (18+) with a range of support needs including rehab following a stroke or amputation, paralysis, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s. The dedicated team also delivers residential, nursing and dementia care with love and kindness whilst holding platinum accreditation under the Gold Standards Framework for compassionate end-of-life care.

Residents are supported to try new activities and rediscover former hobbies. From music and movement sessions, reminiscence projects, to brain gym, and make a wish initiative, there is truly something for everyone. As well as frequent excursions to local places of interest on the minibus and visits from entertainers, schoolchildren and the ‘Newt Brigade’, the home’s preschool group.

Water Mill House is a stimulating environment that promotes independence. Set over three floors, the spacious home with state-of-the-art gym, equipped with cardio machines, resistance equipment and stretching aids, ensures a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation, enabling community clinicians, physiotherapists and the home’s care team to work in partnership. Together they create and review personalised care plans that maximise each resident's rehabilitation potential, promoting their physical recovery, improving mobility, and enhancing communication skills.

Families are an integral part of life at the home, which boasts beautiful en-suite bedrooms, a bustling bistro, sunny rooftop terrace and on-site library, cinema, spa and hair salon. All surrounded by tranquil landscaped gardens with scenic views of the Hertfordshire countryside.

The team receives comprehensive training and professional development to deliver the high standards of holistic care residents and families deserve. In November 2023, it was a finalist in the Dignity in Care category at the East of England Great British Care Awards 2023.
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Care Provided by Water Mill House Care Home

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Learning Disability / Autism
  • 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 70 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
  • Bariatric Care/Obesity
  • Convalescent Care
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Bar/Café
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • 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 £1900
  • Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1900
  • Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1900
  • Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1900
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Care: from £1900
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Residential Dementia Care: from £1900
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care: from £1900
  • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Dementia Care: from £1900

These prices are only a guideline, please contact Water Mill House Care Home to find out the exact price for your requirements.

Contact Water Mill House Care 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 Water Mill House Care Home to confirm what's included and get a personalised quote:

Good to Know

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Victoria Forsythe (Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Information

  • Mixed (no single-gender units)
  • Ages 18+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes
  • Last Refurbishment: 2025
  • Number of floors: 3

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (70)

Water Mill House Care Home Reviews (118)

9.7

Water Mill House Care Home has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.715) out of 10, based on 46 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Water Mill House Care Home has 118 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 94
  • 20
  • 2
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  • 2
Date Published
  • 118
  • 19
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  • 46
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Reviewer Connection to Water Mill House Care Home
  • 48
  • 11
  • 10
  • 9
  • 7
  • 6
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
  • 1
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Total of 118, showing 101-118
Review from John M (Cousin of Resident) published on 10 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
I am generally pleased with the standard of care provided by carers (ordinary level) but disappointed that management do not want to get involved when major issues are raised. The manager is always very elusive and does not respond when contacted. For a modern care home such as this and the high care
costs involved, I am not impressed by the quality of meals provided they are not very appealing and I would certainly not wish to eat them myself. Often cold and certainly not nutritious.
Reply from Anna Marrah, Business Manager at Water Mill House Care HomeThank you for your feedback. We value all feedback at Water Mill House and welcome the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have with us. I understand that you have already spoken to Noelia at the home and have agreed a new approach that meets your needs. However, please feel free to contact me if you so wish to discuss further.
Kind regards
Anna Marrah (Water Mill House, Regional Manager)
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Review from Lesley D (Wife of Resident) published on 1 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When I have had a query or complaint/concern, I am always listened to and given assurances. I find the staff very friendly and appreciate the kindness shown to my husband by them, particularly as he finds it difficult to communicate.
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Review from D W (Son of Resident) published on 1 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Overall the Water Mill provides a good standard of care but not an outstanding, despite the excellence of the buildings and design. Staff are helpful and friendly but do need good permanent management which should cover seven days a week. Catering should be improved to enhance the overall quality and
choice. Wifi should be provided as a matter of course in all residents rooms.
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Review from Sue W (Daughter of Resident) published on 27 October 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Was concerned about staff changes especially management but am delighted at the level of care, information and warmth on dementia level.
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Review from Yvonne S (Resident) published on 26 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A good, friendly home.
It is clean in the rooms, very clean.
The food is excellent, couldn't find better.
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Review from Primrose H (Resident) published on 26 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am very happy and enjoy the fact that so much is going on.
I like being with people so the Bistro is very good.
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Review from J A S (Resident) published on 26 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Very nice bright, clean surroundings. Kind and helpful staff. Good on activities. Expensive.
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Review from A A (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A very organised and relaxed home.
Amazing staff who understand the residents' needs.
Lots of organised activities.
Peace of mind my mother is being well looked after.
Nothing in the care home is too much trouble - they help in any way they can and even consider the visitors' feelings and emotions.
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Review from Monica W (Respite Resident) published on 21 September 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
A welcoming place to spend in respite care after major surgery. Every day was a pleasure - every level of staff showed constant care and kindness morning, noon and night.


I thank them all.

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Review from P P (Son of Resident) published on 28 June 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great service - helpful staff. Great tea.
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Review from Mary D (Friend of Resident) published on 17 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since I've been going to see my friend at Water Mill House everything has been excellent. The staff are amazing, they are so caring - whenever my friend needs anything, they are there. The food and the bistro are lovely. I would recommend the home to anyone I know who is looking for a care home.
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Review from Norma H (Resident) published on 4 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I think the care I received from the staff at Water Mill was outstanding. Throughout my stay, I was treated with kindness, courtesy and willingness to help.
This so important aspect came from the top management with everyone feeling they were part of a well run team with members happy to support each
other in the care of residents.
Sometimes work entailed long hours but I still received understanding care usually accompanied by a smile.
The facilities were very good, with the Bistro a great asset. The food too was good and attractively served.
The management and staff should be very proud of the excellent care and atmosphere they provide.
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Review from Mollie S (Resident) published on 27 April 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I had spent 2 and a half weeks in hospital and on returning home, there was no-one there from 8am until 5pm. I was quite able to wash and dress myself, all I needed was someone to care for my needs.
A very pleasant room, good food, people to talk to and some activities with my hair shampooed gave me
a very nice peaceful week.
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Review from B R (Partner of Resident) published on 10 October 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The residents are always clean and tidily dressed and looking well cared for. The home has a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere with fresh flowers, and looking well maintained. Staff are friendly, caring and always treat residents with kindness and respect. The meals are excellent, well presented and
variable, and the dining rooms are well laid out and inviting. I feel it would be difficult to find a better care home.
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Review from K G (Resident) published on 13 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Overall good however the food does not provide a balanced diet and does not take account of seasonal products.
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Review from Dian P (Son of Resident) published on 10 June 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our mother went to Watermill Care late in December 2015 neat to the end of her life just for TLC she rallied and has had 5 months of superb care by everyone at the care home. We feel so lucky she spent the last months of her life in such a exceptional care home. Every time we visited we were welcomed
and given refreshments as we travelled 2 hours to get there. All the staff were great.
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Review from Sylvia W (Daughter of Resident) published on 3 June 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother came for a month respite and then later decided to return permanently. We have been very impressed with every aspect of her care and she has settled well and nothing is too much trouble. The staff are very attentive and allow the residents to make choices about when they get up and when they
go to bed, whether they prefer to eat in their room and what they want to eat. We made a good decision in choosing Water Mill House.
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Review from Louise S (Daughter of Resident) published on 1 March 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I wanted to write this review on Water Mill House even though my mum has only been residing there for just over 3 months, the change in her from the previous home is absolutely unbelievably amazing. The care, dedication and more importantly staff, listen!! Water Mill House have excellent facilities
with a warm, friendly relaxing atmosphere with smiles on everyone's faces. Nothing is too much trouble.
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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.715)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.715) out of 10 for Water Mill House Care 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 46 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 44 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 4.715 for Water Mill House Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (427 Excellents x 5) + (93 Goods x 4) + (14 Satisfactorys x 3) + (2 Poors x 2) + (7 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 543 Ratings = 4.715
  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 Water Mill House Care Home is based on 44 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 70 registered maximum number of service users is 14, which has been reached with 44 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: 20 Sep 2023

Overall Requires improvement

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Requires improvement
  • Well-led Requires improvement
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 (18)

Meet the Team (1)

Victoria

Victoria Forsythe

Job Title: Home Manager Joined: 2020

Victoria qualified as a registered nurse in 1993 and has worked in social care for 30 years, always driven by a passion for making a difference in people's lives.


Her journey began with the NHS in Lancashire, where she quickly advanced to Ward Manager. Seeking new challenges, Victoria moved south to embrace her first role as Deputy Manager in the care home sector and found her true calling.


With extensive experience in managing and commissioning care services, Victoria has successfully led both large, privately-run care homes and smaller, family-owned homes.


Drawn to Water Mill House for its warm, family atmosphere and commitment to making every day joyful and meaningful, Victoria has built strong, caring relationships with our residents and team.


When she’s not at work, Victoria cherishes family time with her husband Richard, son Harry, and Bichon Friese, Lily. She also loves to bake!

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