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
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Reviewer Connection to Handford House
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Total of 78, showing 61-78
Review from Graham C (Resident) published on 23 May 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All staff at Handford House are friendly and it feels like a home away from home. There's always plenty of activities. The laughter around the home is wonderful to hear.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks for leaving us such a lovely review, greatly appreciated.

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Review from O G (Wife of Resident) published on 21 May 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My husband has only been a resident for six weeks, but as a family, we are very impressed with the care he is receiving. The welcome we received when we first viewed the home made us think it was the best place for him. Everything has been done to help us all through a very great change in our lives.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks very much for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review. I will pass your comments on to the team.

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Review from Pam A (Wife of Resident) published on 25 January 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I visit my husband every other day. I feel comfortable and made welcome when I am there. I feel happy that my husband is well looked after.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks very much Pam for leaving us such a lovely review, it really does mean a lot to me and my team.

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Review from Joy L (Daughter of Resident) published on 16 January 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My mother has only resided at Handford House for just over 3 months. She seems very happy and well looked after.
I chose December to comment on as the staff put on a very good Christmas party and buffet, Christmas meals, carols. I know my mother is quite impatient but the staff are always very pleasant
and unphased by this. They are always available if I need an update on my mother. As she is content, then I can relax and endeavour to enjoy my retirement.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thank you very much for leaving such a lovely review which I will share with my team. I'm very pleased you are happy with Mum's care and look forward to sharing with you the great events we have planned in 2019.


Kind regards
Mike

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Review from Nicola S (Daughter of Resident) published on 5 September 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Can't fault the management, the nurse's activities and the amazing care team within this care home they have made me and my father very much welcome and have made sure my father settled in well, giving him the patience needed while settling in, this home is a home, a welcoming warm and friendly one,
always there to answer any worries or concerns. I would highly recommend this home.
Reply from Mike Parris, Home Manager at Handford House

Thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely review, it really is appreciated.

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Review from P Y (Wife of Resident) published on 7 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From the very first day that we were welcomed into Handford House, we have been made to feel at home. We have been supported by a team of warm, kind and caring staff who do their best in what can be very challenging circumstances. The caring staff are so hard working and show great skill in what they
do while at the same offering compassion, tolerance and understanding. Also, we have noticed how clean the home is and how our clothes are beautifully folded and always delivered with a smile. Both the food and 'activities' are varied and of a high quality. In fact, we are very happy here and wish to say a big THANK YOU.
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Review from G K (Resident) published on 25 January 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been at the care home for nearly three years and found it to be very good. The staff and everyone connected with the care home are very nice and look after all the residents and patients with care dignity so nothing is too much trouble.
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Review from Ruth G (Resident) published on 22 January 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I've been very pleased with my stay at Hanford House as near as near as my home can be.
I hope I can stay here the rest of my life.
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Review from Keith R (Son of Resident) published on 3 November 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our dad was recently moved to Handford House and has been extremely happy since he started living there.
We were particularly pleased that when our mum first visited him she was unsure where to catch a bus home when leaving. Staff were extremely kind to her and walked her to the nearest bus stop.
Mum
is very happy that Dad is being well cared for.
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Review from Sam G (Resident) published on 24 August 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Now the home has a new manager it has improved greatly. The staff are happier in their work. A nice refreshing change and many good things are to come. Uniforms have been introduced which is good so now visitors and staff can be identified.
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Review from S J (Daughter of Resident) published on 31 May 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
First impression, pleasant property, good facilities well maintained, room clean and well presented, felt welcome and at ease, clean and pleasant smell, light and airy,
The staff are friendly and helpful, I was offered help to move my dad's belongings in.
TV was checked straight away, so was ready
for dad to use.
The staff bend down to be level with the residents and treat them with care and respect and are very helpful.
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Review from Ivan S (Brother of Resident) published on 22 November 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My brother was cared for with dignity and respect. His needs were met by the staff in a most caring and considerate manner. We thank them for making his time with them so stress free for all the family and himself.
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Review from Thomas T (Husband of Resident) published on 26 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My wife was in Handford House for eight years. She was always treated well and kept clean and well fed.
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Review from Alan H (Husband of Resident) published on 12 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Dove Unit is far too hot - low ceilings, inadequate extractors, poor designed windows (cheap) - most uncomfortable in heat, please action now. An extremely well run home with a first class manager. She motivates her carefully recruited caring staff and then always ensures quality standards, plus
that resident's care is constantly maintained to provide them with their individual comforts and needs, personal hygiene and appearance, regular drinks plus the carers compassion to respond and make the residents feel they are special and loved as people. I speak of dementia, Dove Unit. I wish the Manager have a 16 hours clerical assistant. She is bogged down with paperwork, preventing her managing/monitoring on Dove Unit. Please action this now.
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Review from Susan S (Daughter of Resident) published on 9 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff have been wonderful to my mother as she was in a very bad state having being sent there from hospital. The activities used to be wonderful when she first arrived and they were organised by a staff member who later left. Since then, there has not been much. I come three days a week and feel
activities could be improved.
Reply from kay Farrell, Home Manager at Handford House

Our activity co-ordinator has left for another position, we now have 2 activity staff but they are new in the role and so need support and encouragement and are in the process of finding out the social needs of the residents.
Activities that happened recently are Sports Days every Thursday with a professional, mini bus trips weekly ,Cheese and wine evening, Summer Fayre , garden activities, Hymn service, Tea and Cake McMillan afternoon, Local art pig hunt in town.

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Review from Julie B (Sister of Resident) published on 7 July 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My sister was in supported living before being very ill with heart problems and we needed somewhere for her to live. She visited a few places and none were suitable. We took her to Handford House and she immediately said this was the place for her.
She has learning disabilities, which the home were
not used to, but they had no hesitation in taking her in. The staff and management have been totally supportive of her and she is so happy to be a resident at this care home. Great service.
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Review from Donna A (Daughter of Resident) published on 8 February 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mum has been at Handford House since March 2015 following 3 months in hospital. It was difficult to find a home that would meet mums needs of both nursing and dementia care. Most homes seem to address one or the other.


As a family we had concerns about mum having to go into nursing care as she

had been living independently prior to her stay in hospital. After a short period of being unsettled which was fully expected and explained to us by the Manager, mum soon settled in very well.


The staff are good and many are exceptional. They treat every resident as an individual with care and dignity. Mum has early stages of dementia and the staff make her feel as if she is part of their bigger family. Mum has a wicked sense of humour and the staff recognise this and encourage her to spend as much time as she wants with both staff and other residents.


The food is very good and if there is nothing on the menu that mum wants they are happy to make something different for her.


Bedrooms and communal areas are kept very clean and there are rooms designated for activities and relaxation. One even has a little bar area where residents can socialise.


We, as a family, visit mum everyday and I can honestly say we are made to feel very welcome. Mum now sees Handford House as her home and is very happy there.

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Review from Michael S (Son of Resident) published on 12 October 2015 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My mother moved to Handford House early April 2015 after spending 6 weeks in Ipswich hospital where she was being treated for a very serious stroke. She needed 24 hour care. She couldn't do anything for herself and could only communicate in a very basic manner. Most days when visiting we were unsure
whether she was aware of us being there or not. However all the staff at Handford house, whatever their position, treated mum with great care and respect, as if she was fully aware and involved in day to day life. So much so that one day when we were visiting, she managed to say just one thing, and that was, "They make a fuss of me here" Sadly she died peacefully in the early hours of June 30th. I would say that everyone at Handford House made mum's last weeks as good as they could be.
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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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