Handford House

27a Cumberland Street, Ipswich IP1 3PA
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9.1 78 Reviews
  • Handford House, Ipswich
Located in the oldest Anglo-Saxon town in England, Ipswich in Suffolk, Handford House takes a holistic approach to providing outstanding care to local residents that have nursing, respite, dementia or palliative care needs. The passionate team take pride in providing a warm, welcoming and friendly care offering and embody the ethos of dignity and respect for residents at all times.

The home is specifically designed to provide a comfortable, accessible and safe respite for residents. Whether it may be the many communal areas (either tailored for groups, or quieter areas), the two patio areas or the well-kept colourful gardens, Handford House has space suitable for every one’s needs. The home boasts dedicated lounges for activities, an in-house hair salon and a sensory room.

Dedicated and tailored activities include, but are not limited to, mind body and soul sessions, book club, movement to music and shopping trips. The activities coordinator also works to ensure that activities are personalised and to each individual’s needs and wishes.

Accommodation is arranged over two floors offering 52 bedrooms that are able to be personalised to each resident’s wishes. Rooms come fully furnished, ready for residents to personalise and make them their own. Equally, the home encourages residents to bring their own furniture to make their room feel like a home-from home, should they wish to. The garden offers a garden pod, well-kept flower beds and patios and quiet spots for residents to enjoy their own company or enjoy an afternoon tea.

Handford House has a passionate and enthusiastic team and has a reputable long-standing relationship with the wider community.
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Care Provided

Primary Care Categories

  • Older Person Care
  • Dementia
  • Physical Disability
  • 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 52 Service Users

Dementia Care Types

  • Mild Dementia
  • Moderate Dementia
  • Advanced/Complex Dementia

Other Care Provided

  • Palliative / End of Life Care
  • Day Care

Facilities

  • Own Furniture if required
  • Close to Local shops
  • Near Public Transport
  • Minibus or other transport
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Gardens
  • Television point in own room
  • Residents Internet Access

Funding & Fees

Funding Types Accepted

  • Self Funding (Private)
  • Local Authority with Top Up
  • Local Authority
  • NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Good to Know

Person in charge

  • Renata Sulugiuc (Home Manager)

Local Authority / Social Services

Admission Criteria

  • Ages 50+

Care Home Design/Build

  • Purpose Built: Yes

Room Information

  • Single Rooms (52)
  • Single Rooms with Ensuite Wet Room (32)

Handford House Reviews (78)

9.1

Handford House has a Review Score of 9.1 (9.085) out of 10, based on 27 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Handford House has 78 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
  • 78
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Reviewer Connection to Handford House
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Total of 78, showing 21-40
Review from S C (Son-in-law of Resident) published on 18 December 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Friendly staffs, excellent service.
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Review from L C (Daughter of Resident) published on 23 November 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I think we picked the best care home in the local area.
Reply from Fisayo A, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you very much. We are all about delivering good care to all our residents at Handford House.

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Review from Z C (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 23 November 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My grandmother is well cared for and all staff are friendly and helpful.
Reply from Fisayo A, Home Manager at Handford House

I agree, all our staff are passionate about delivering good quality care to all our residents and giving families the rest of mind that their loved ones are well taken care of in our home. Thank you very much for the review.

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Review from B P (Resident) published on 1 November 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff are friendly and helpful. They talk to all the residents, and they have been taking good care of me since I arrived at the home. There are always games and activities to keep me busy.
Reply from Fisayo A, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you very much for your review. The games and activities are always fun and a good way to get some exercise.

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Review from B L (Friend of Resident) published on 1 November 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Good care, friendly staff.
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Review from S H (Friend of Resident) published on 31 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Good care. clean room, friendly staff, helpful and polite.
Reply from Fisayo A, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you very much for your kind and honest review.

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Review from Susannah S (Daughter of Resident) published on 30 October 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Dad always seems happy here. The staff are friendly, efficient and very helpful. The facility is nice and the garden is ok. Some frustrations are laundry sometimes going missing, other residents wandering into other's rooms and belongings going missing. Otherwise generally nice.
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Review from M J (Son of Resident) published on 8 September 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Always nice to see plenty of staff available whenever we visit them. I have noticed that mum is always happy when she gets attention from staff as she is bedbound and loves to see friendly faces in her room. The hard work done by all the staff is much appreciated.
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Review from D F (Father of Resident) published on 5 September 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter is very well looked after, I don't have any problems. The staff and management are very helpful.
Reply from Fisayo A, Home Manager at Handford House

The team appreciates your kind words on how well your daughter is being looked after. Thank you very much.

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Review from D L (Daughter of Resident) published on 7 August 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are amazing all are welcoming and friendly. Couldnt have wished for a better place for mum. Angels in disguise.
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Review from S N (Son of Resident) published on 1 August 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From the day my father arrived at Handford House, he has been treated with care, dignity and respect. All the staff were amazing and kept me informed at all times.
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Review from Tracey L (Daughter-in-law of Resident) published on 25 July 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
No words can express how the family feels about how happy our mother is with you. The outstanding staff which will go up and above their job.
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Review from J M (Daughter of Resident) published on 25 July 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Dad initially came into the home for end-of-life care. However, his treatment and care have been amazing and because of this he is now in a stable position and we have got our dad back again. Yes, he has continuing health issues but we know he is being well looked after by lovely staff.
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Review from K R (Friend of Resident) published on 21 March 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5
After taking his own medication, how was a patient allowed to take medication prescribed to another patient? His wife is worried after receiving a phone call from the home. On a previous occasion, I called in on a Saturday at 10.40am and my friend had not even been woken up so had missed breakfast.
The room stank. I went to find a nurse on duty and was advised by one wearing face piercings whilst in uniform. She said they were not able to manage his sleep pattern (after 8 months). I was advised in a terse manner that they couldn’t possibly wake up all residents in time for meals.
Now after today's event regarding medication, I am seriously concerned for his welfare.
Reply from Fisayo Akadri, Home Manager at Handford House

I’m sorry that this has happened to your friend. We are already aware of this incident and we have taken immediate actions to ensure this does not happen again. We have also been in regular contact with the next of kin of your friend. She is aware of our action plans and the circumstances around this incident as well as your concerns around your friend’s sleep pattern.
I am more than happy to discuss these concerns and any other concerns with you in person or via telephone. You can contact me via 01473 23 1111, or my email at manager@handfordhouse.healthcarehomes.co.uk. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Review from J L (Daughter of Resident) published on 26 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My mother has been a challenging resident and the staff have handled her with care and respect, this also applies to family that visit. They ensure that her needs are met with good communication with the family.
Reply from Fisayo Akadri, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for taking the time to write this kind review. I'm sure the team will also appreciate it when I share this review with them.

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Review from P W (Daughter of Resident) published on 18 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5
I would not let my worst enemy stay here. Not only was my father's room dirty, I could never find a member of staff and when I did they did not seem to care. My father ended up in hospital with a serious injury in which he told me how he did it but a carer tried to say he rolled out of bed. I am so
glad he is now in a lovely home that cares and gives their all.
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Review from L C (Granddaughter of Resident) published on 4 January 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5
I wouldn't let my dog stay here! So glad my Nan has left this awful place. The rooms were so dirty, tenants walking around half dressed with no shoes on. Tenants left without food and drinks. Dining area was disgustingly dirty with food left on the floor. My Nan was given a dirty plastic mattress with
no blanket during one of our coldest winters and she was regularly found like this. If you love your relative do not send them here. And if you have loved ones here get them out. Handford House these people deserve better, sort it out. Minus 10 for all aspects!
Reply from Fisayo Akadri, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for taking the time to share a review. Had I or any of my staff been made aware of your concerns we would have contacted you immediately to discuss and investigate. We take all feedback and concerns seriously in the home.
I have looked into your concerns and shared them with the team. We have a thorough system in place that ensures rooms are cleaned daily and recorded.
On our Dementia unit, our goal is to support each resident in maintaining a good quality of life within a safe and stress-free environment where behaviours that challenge can be safely managed for their protection and others.
I can assure you that we do not have any plastic mattresses in the home at all. We use nationally recognised profiling mattresses fitted with fabric covers (to help reduce friction).
I apologise for the experience that your Nan had while she was in our home. I respect and understand your decision, and hope she is settling in well in her new home.

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Review from Claire B (Wife of Resident) published on 3 October 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My husband has been at Handford House for well over a year. He arrived from a mental health unit after being sectioned by another home and then being discharged. Handford House welcomed him, assessed his needs and made sure that he had the help that he needed. The staff are helpful, cheerful and caring.
Thewy are patient and personal with him. He is now relaxed and settled. As a family, we are tremendously grateful.
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you so much for your kind words, I shall pass this on to the team.

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Review from Sarah C (Sister of Resident) published on 20 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since my step sister has lived at Handford House sadly her condition has deteriorated. This has come as no surprise to me as her condition is progressive. However, the staff have looked after her with such care and attention, recognising her specific individual needs, that this experience has been made
so much easier not just for me but especially for her. Communication with me has always been good and she has been cared for with the dignity and respect she deserves. As she approaches the end of her life it is so reassuring to know they make every effort in her best interests to make her comfortable. Although she has never been able to voice her thanks I can thank you all for your kindness and understanding towards my lovely sister, and if she could voice it I know she would share my gratitude.
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for your review, I will pass your kind words through to my colleagues.

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Review from S C (Son of Resident) published on 28 July 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Dad suffers from dementia and was transferred to Handford House from hospital. The home was a complete unknown to the family but it was quickly apparent that the staff provided excellent care and nursing with compassion and understanding. Dad's health improved and after 9 months he is settled and happy.
Communications with the family are very good, we are promptly informed of any health issues, if required the nursing staff call in the local GP and carers accompany Dad to hospital for outpatient appointments as I live in the North of England. He is assisted to participate in activities and trips that he greatly enjoys. Whenever I talk to Dad, I always ask him two questions; is he happy and is everyone kind to him? The answers are always yes!
Reply from Naomi Bender, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you for your lovely words, I will pass these on to our teams.

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Current Review Score: 9.1 (9.085)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.1 (9.085) out of 10 for Handford House is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 27 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 4.085 for Handford House is calculated as follows: ( (175 Excellents x 5) + (90 Goods x 4) + (7 Satisfactorys x 3) + (47 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 319 Ratings = 4.085
  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 Handford House 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 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 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 52 registered maximum number of service users is 10.4, 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: 19 Mar 2025

Overall Good

  • Caring Good
  • Effective Good
  • Responsive Good
  • Safe Good
  • 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

5 Bed Vacancies

Posted: 13 Sep 2025

We provide permanent and respite accommodation for individuals with nursing, respite, palliative, and nursing dementia care needs. Our services include complete en-suite and basin with WC rooms. Additionally, we offer privately funded, local authority, and NHS-funded placements.

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Awards / Recognitions (9)

Meet the Team (2)

Renata

Renata Sulugiuc

Job Title: Home Manager

I have been a registered nurse for over 10 years and managed nursing homes before, I always like to maintain the ‘family feel’. We have lots planned for the residents in the coming months, which is really exciting as there will be some new activities, along with loved favourites. My door is always open so please feel free to pop in and say hello.

Andy

Andy Crack

Job Title: Maintenance

Andy decided to work at Healthcare Homes as he wished to do something different. Prior to joining Healthcare Homes he was a maintenance handyman.
He believes, to be good in his role you need to enjoy your job. The
favourite part of his day is in the morning when everyone is up and smiling. The qualities he thinks make him stand out are he is hard working, and is always there to help
Outside of work he is a season ticket holder at Ipswich Football Club and he loves going to the cinema.
He looks forward to going in to Handford House and seeing the residents smiling. They have a good team at Handford House.

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