Our Nursing Care
Reassuring expert care in the comfort of a home
What is Nursing Care?
Nursing care provides 24-hour support from qualified nurses for people with more complex health, medical or physical care needs. Alongside the day-to-day support offered in a care home, nursing care includes expert medical support, medication management, ongoing health monitoring and personalised care tailored to each individual’s condition and circumstances.
At Westcott, we believe expert nursing care should always feel personal. Behind every care plan is a person with their own routines, preferences and life story. That’s why our nursing teams take the time to get to know each and every resident, providing skilled care that supports not only physical wellbeing, but also helps people continue enjoying familiar routines, spending time with family and living life in the way that’s right for them.
Who may benefit from Nursing Care?
Nursing care can support people with a wide range of health conditions and care needs. While every situation is unique, the following examples may help you understand who nursing care could be beneficial for.
Someone Living With A Complex Medical Condition
Those with ongoing health conditions that require regular monitoring, specialist treatment or clinical oversight may benefit from the support of qualified nursing professionals.
Someone Recovering From A Serious Illness Or Hospital Stay
Following illness, surgery or a lengthy hospital admission, nursing care can provide additional support during recovery, helping individuals regain confidence and stability.
Someone Living With Advanced Dementia
As dementia progresses, some people develop more complex physical and medical needs that can benefit from specialist nursing care for dementia alongside dedicated dementia support.
Someone Whose Care Needs Have Changed Over Time
For some people, the support they once received at home or within residential care may no longer be enough. Nursing care can provide the additional expertise and reassurance needed as circumstances evolve.
Someone With Reduced Mobility Or Physical Disabilities
Individuals who require assistance with mobility, transfers or physical health management may benefit from the expertise and reassurance nursing care can provide.
Someone Managing Multiple Long-Term Health Conditions
When several health conditions need to be managed at the same time, nursing care can help ensure support is coordinated, consistent and tailored to the individual's needs.
Someone Requiring Regular Clinical Intervention
Some people need ongoing support with wound care, medication management, monitoring or other healthcare needs that require qualified nursing input.
Someone Approaching The Later Stages Of Life
Nursing care can help provide comfort, reassurance and specialist support for individuals with increasingly complex care needs, while also supporting those closest to them.
Understanding What Support Feels Right
Recognising that someone’s care needs have changed can bring a lot of questions. Whether you’re looking for support for yourself or someone you love, our team will help you understand the options available, explain what nursing care involves, discuss the difference between nursing and residential care, and guide you towards the support that best fits your circumstances.
1
Tell us what’s happening
Every care journey starts with a conversation. Share what’s happening, what’s becoming more difficult and any concerns you may have, and we’ll help you explore what support could make everyday life easier and more comfortable.
2
Experience life in one of our homes
Spend time getting to know a Westcott home, meet residents and team members, and see first-hand how nursing support is woven into everyday life. It’s also an opportunity to understand the difference between a residential home and a care home with nursing, and what that could mean for everyday life.
3
Ask the questions that matter
Meet the nurses and care professionals who could be supporting you or your loved one. We’ll take the time to answer your questions, explain how care is delivered and discuss how support can be tailored around individual needs.
4
Begin the next chapter with confidence
If nursing care is the right next step, we’ll help make the transition feel as smooth and reassuring as possible. From getting to know routines and preferences to settling into a new environment, we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.
Where expertise meets everyday life
Behind every Westcott home are dedicated teams, meaningful relationships and a belief that care should help people continue living life their way. Discover the values, people and moments that shape everyday life across the Westcott family.
REVIEWS
Stories of support shared by families
Finding the right nursing home for yourself or someone you love can feel like one of life’s biggest decisions. These are the experiences of residents and families who found expert nursing care delivered with warmth, compassion and a genuine understanding of the person behind the care needs. Read how residents and families have experienced the reassurance that comes from feeling truly known, supported and able to live life in the way that’s right for them with Westcott Care.
“My wife has been admitted to Appleby Grange suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative form of Parkinson’s. As such she requires 24 hour nursing care which we are unable to give her at home.
The care staff are very diligent, answering her calls promptly and helping her in and out of bed, to the bathroom, dressing her and undressing her and providing her meals. My wife requires feeding as she can no longer feed herself so the carers take on this task. They do all these tasks with a smile despite the fact that Hilary has a morbid fear of falling which results in her gripping anything while she is being moved.
The nursing staff are on call 24/7 and administer all my wife’s medication as well as monitoring her general health.
The management are particularly attentive and have immediately responded to the few minor issues we had when my wife first moved in.”
Andrew W
Family member
“My relative has been treated with exceptional care, respect and dignity. She is quite complex and some special needs. She was in other care homes before coming here, this home is far superior in the care they give. Cannot praise the manager enough, and the staff’s approach to giving care.”
C.W.
Family member
“Can’t express enough the care and services the care home team has given to my brother. My brother suffers from Huntington’s disease and has done so for several years. I have never seen him so settled and calm. The most important fundamental need for any of us is to feel safe, I know as his brother that he has that in this home, and as well as great staff he has true friends that care for him there.
One word – outstanding!”
Nigel B
Family member
Expert care and recognised standards
Whether someone needs residential, dementia or nursing care, every Westcott Care home is committed to delivering safe, high-quality support. Independent organisations such as the Care Quality Commission and Care England help ensure our homes continue to meet recognised professional standards, providing reassurance for residents and families alike.
When care needs become more complex, we’re here to help
Understanding when nursing care might be needed can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make the right decision for someone you love. Our Care Navigation team is here to listen, answer your questions and help you make sense of the options available. Together, we’ll help you find the right level of support, at the right time, with guidance that’s tailored to your individual circumstances.
When you’re exploring nursing care, it’s natural to have questions. Our guides, articles and resources are here to help you understand different types of care, navigate changing needs and make informed decisions with confidence, whether you’re planning ahead or responding to a recent change in circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is a nursing care home the same as a care home?
One of the most common questions families ask is about the difference between care home and nursing home UK settings. ‘Care home’ is a broad term that can include both residential care homes and nursing homes. A nursing care home provides all the support available in a residential care home, alongside additional care delivered by qualified nurses for people with more complex medical or healthcare needs.
Do all care homes offer nursing care?
No. Some care homes provide residential care only, while others offer nursing care or a combination of both. If nursing support is important for you or your loved one, it’s always worth asking what clinical care is available and how it is delivered.
Is nursing care the same as end-of-life care?
No. Nursing care supports people with a wide range of ongoing healthcare needs and can be provided for many years. End-of-life care, sometimes called palliative care, is specialist support focused on comfort and quality of life during the final stages of life. Some people receiving nursing care may also require end-of-life care, but the two are not the same.
What qualifications and training do nursing care staff have?
Nursing care is delivered by qualified nurses who are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). They are supported by trained care teams and regularly undertake professional development to maintain their clinical knowledge and skills. At Westcott, we believe expertise is important, but so is understanding the individual behind the care needs.
Can someone move from residential care to nursing care if their needs change?
Yes. Care needs can change over time, and it’s not uncommon for someone to require additional support if their health circumstances evolve. Nursing care can provide the extra clinical expertise needed while continuing to focus on the person’s routines, preferences and quality of life.
Will I still have independence if I receive nursing care?
Absolutely. Good nursing care isn’t about taking over; it’s about providing the right level of support while helping people maintain as much independence, choice and control as possible. Care should always be shaped around the individual, not the other way around.
How is nursing care personalised?
Every resident has different needs, preferences and priorities. Nursing care is guided by an individual care plan that considers not only medical requirements, but also routines, interests, relationships and the things that help someone feel comfortable and at home.
How do I know if someone I love needs nursing care?
There’s rarely a single moment when nursing care becomes necessary. Often, it’s a gradual change in health, mobility or medical needs that prompts families to start exploring additional support. If someone requires regular clinical monitoring, ongoing healthcare support or increasingly complex care, nursing care may be worth considering. Our Care Navigation team can help you understand the options available and whether nursing care could be the right fit.
Can nursing care support people living with dementia?
Yes. Some people living with dementia develop more complex physical or medical needs as their condition progresses. In these situations, nursing care can provide additional clinical support alongside specialist dementia care, ensuring both health needs and personal wellbeing are supported in a way that’s tailored to the individual.
What are some common words, phrases and terminology I may hear when researching nursing care, and what do they mean?
If you’re exploring nursing care for the first time, you may come across some unfamiliar terms. Here are some of the most common:
Nursing Care: Care delivered with support from qualified nurses for people with more complex medical or healthcare needs.
Nursing Home: A care home that provides both personal care and 24-hour nursing support.
Residential Care: Support with everyday living, such as personal care, meals and medication, without the need for regular nursing intervention.
Clinical Oversight: Ongoing monitoring and management of a person’s health needs by qualified healthcare professionals.
Care Assessment: A process used to understand an individual’s care requirements and determine what support may be appropriate.
Care Plan: A personalised document outlining how a person’s health, wellbeing and care needs will be met.
Long-Term Condition: A health condition that requires ongoing management, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or heart disease.
Palliative Care: Specialist support focused on comfort, symptom management and quality of life for people living with serious illness.
Discharge To Assess (D2A): A process where someone leaves hospital as soon as they are medically ready, with their ongoing care and support needs assessed in a more appropriate setting, such as their own home or a care home.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): A group of healthcare professionals from different disciplines who work together to plan and deliver care.
NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council): The professional regulator for nurses, midwives and nursing associates in the UK.
Person-Centred Care: Often referred to as person centred care nursing, this approach focuses on the individual’s preferences, routines, experiences and goals, rather than simply their condition or diagnosis.
Care Navigation: Guidance and support that helps individuals and families understand care options and find the support that’s right for their circumstances.
Holistic Nursing Care: An approach that considers a person’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, preferences and quality of life, rather than focusing solely on medical needs.