Frequently Asked Questions

You may be the potential resident or you may be looking on behalf of a loved one. As we do not know which, we have answered the questions as if responding to the potential resident.


What type of care do you offer?

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We provide nursing care. This means that there is Registered Nurse cover 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. Predominantly this is on a long term basis however we also consider respite placements.  

What is dementia?

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The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or a series of strokes.

There are currently around 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK. Although there is no cure and the symptoms of dementia will gradually get worse, steps can be taken to slow the progression.

Should I be looking at 'nursing homes' or 'residential homes'?

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The terminology can be confusing as both are offered in a ‘residential’ setting and the term ‘care home’ can be applied to both. In simple terms the distinction is the presence of registered nurses and the ability to care for residents with higher and more complex needs (nursing home). There is no single test that should be applied to determine whether you should choose a nursing home over a pure residential care home.

Some of our residents have chosen Woodlands Nursing Home on the basis that the more direct clinical input implies a greater ability to prevent and manage deterioration. Further, if and when deterioration does occur it would not necessitate a move away from Woodlands to an unfamiliar environment.

How will you help me settle in?

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For some people the anticipated move to a residential environment is a relief. For others it is an unwelcome necessity. Notwithstanding the anticipation, the reality of the move has the potential to be an unsettling and frightening experience.

Our top priority is to ensure everyone feels happy, pain free and at home in our care. For each resident a comprehensive care plan is created, detailing everything from nursing and dietary requirements to background history and likes, dislikes and hobbies. This supports the clinical care but also enables the team at Woodlands to get to know you as an individual.

How will you help me integrate and meet other residents?

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Part of feeling at home may be getting involved in the activities we hold on a daily basis. Working alongside the care staff, the role of our activity coordinator is to ‘enhance the lives of each of our residents’. Your loved one will also get to know everyone very quickly, staff and residents alike.

How can I feel confident that I will be well cared for?

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Care Quality Commission rating - ALL STANDARDS MET

As a care service provider, we are subject to random inspections by the Care Quality Commission. The conclusion of the most recent inspection of Woodlands Nursing Home by the CQC was ‘All Standards Met’. Following a series of healthcare scandals the CQC has implemented a new inspection approach. Fundamentally the ‘new’ inspection team asks five questions:

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

Woodlands has not yet been inspected under the ‘new’ rating system or under current ownership (husband and wife team Campbell and Emily Lyle). Having taken over, Campbell and Emily are working hard to replicate the standards of their other nursing home, Woodlands in Burgess Hill (at the time of writing, Wellcross is one of fourteen nursing homes across the country to have achieved the top rating – ‘OUTSTANDING’ - of c.3,000 that have been rated).

Independent review sites

carehome.co.uk recommendation score of 9.6 out of 10 (top 5%)

Clinical Feedback

Close working relationship with multi-disciplinary clinical teams

What are the visiting hours?

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There are no visiting times – your loved ones can visit you at your convenience. We encourage family, as well as friends, to become fully integrated into life in our home. Everyone is invited to the many events we host, for example.

How will my independence be impacted?

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We appreciate the importance of independence and work to promote it as much as possible. We believe this is vital. At the same time we support our residents as necessary, for example with the administering of medication or assisting with washing or dressing, in a dignified manner.

What is the food like?

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We run a full commercial kitchen with a head chef who has been with us for many years. The team prepares a large variety of dishes, with an emphasis on good home cooked food. Residents can take their meals however they wish. Some opt for a more formal set table approach, whilst some choose to take their meals in their rooms. Although there are set mealtimes the kitchen staff work around the preferences of the residents wherever possible.

Are there emergency call buttons in bedrooms?

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Yes. These are important; along with other equipment such as pressure mats for letting us know when a resident needs assistance. Staff are located around the building to ensure that support is never far away.

Can I retain my own GP?

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Yes. If a resident has a longstanding relationship with a specific GP then we work to ensure that that relationship is maintained.