Downham Grange, Downham Market
CQC Inspection Breakdown
| Safe | Requires improvement |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Good |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Requires improvement |
About Downham Grange
Date of Assessment: 08 May 2025 to 11 June 2025. This is a service providing residential and nursing support to adults of all ages and some people living with dementia and can accommodate up to 63 people. We carried out a comprehensive inspection due to inherent risk. At the time of the inspection, there were 38 people living in the service. We gained feedback from 1 person and 8 relatives, 9 staff and 5 healthcare professionals that supported people, that lived in the service.
What residents and families say
“I don't have to wait for long, particularly at night, I press the buzzer, and it is like they are outside. They come in straight away.”
“I am very happy with what they do now, a few years ago it was much different, but now I cannot fault them”
Source: CQC inspection report
Specialisms
About Downham Grange
Downham Grange provides nursing and personal care in Downham Market, Norfolk, supporting residents to live with dignity and independence. The home is operated by Kingsley Care Homes Limited and can accommodate up to 62 residents. Following their most recent inspection on 25/07/2025, the Care Quality Commission rated Downham Grange as Requires improvement. Across the five inspection categories, the home scored Good for Effective, Caring, Responsive; Requires Improvement for Safe and Well-led. The home caters to a range of care needs, including caring for adults under 65 yrs, dementia and caring for adults over 65 yrs. The service supports dementia, older people, younger adults. Regulated activities at the home include accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care and treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The PE38 postcode area has 5 registered care homes with a combined 267 beds — so there are options to compare in the local area.
Finding the right care home is a deeply personal decision, and we hope this information helps you and your family feel more confident as you explore your options. Every person deserves care that respects their individuality, and the right home will feel welcoming from the moment you walk through the door.
Downham Grange is one of the care homes in Norfolk — a local authority with 325 CQC-registered homes, 202 of which are rated Good or Outstanding.
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Further Reading & Official Sources
- Official CQC inspection report for Downham Grange
- View Downham Grange on Google Maps
- NHS care home finder near PE38 9PA
We link to official and independent sources so families can verify the information on this page.
What to Expect When Visiting
When visiting a nursing care home, it helps to see the clinical environment in action alongside the day-to-day living spaces. A good visit should leave you feeling reassured about both the medical and emotional care on offer.
- Try to visit at different times of day, including mealtimes, to see the home in action.
- Speak with staff and, if possible, current residents or their families about their experience.
- Ask about the nurse-to-resident ratio, especially during nights and weekends.
- Check whether the home can manage any specific medical conditions or equipment needs.
- Check whether outside spaces are secure and whether activities are tailored for people with dementia.
Questions to Ask When Visiting
It can be hard to know what to ask during a care home visit. Here are some questions tailored to Downham Grange's type of care that may help guide your conversation:
- 1 What medical conditions do your nurses have experience managing?
- 2 How quickly can a nurse attend to a resident in an emergency?
- 3 Are there regular GP visits, or do residents need to travel for appointments?
- 4 What is your approach to pain management and end-of-life care?
For a more complete checklist, see our guide to choosing a care home.
Official CQC Inspection Report
The Care Quality Commission last inspected Downham Grange on 25/07/2025 and rated it Requires improvement. The full report includes detailed findings on safety, staffing, and quality of care.
Read the full CQC reportWhat families typically look for
- - Whether nurses are on-site 24 hours and their qualifications
- - How the home manages medication and medical emergencies
- - Staff-to-resident ratios, especially overnight
- - Specialist dementia training and secure outdoor spaces
These reflect common priorities we see from families researching care homes. For personalised advice, we recommend visiting in person and speaking to current families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What medical conditions do your nurses have experience managing?
Downham Grange has nursing staff experienced in supporting people with caring for adults under 65 yrs and dementia. In the most recent CQC inspection on 25/07/2025, the home was rated Requires Improvement for Safe care — a category that covers clinical training, medication management, and infection control. Ask the nursing team directly about any specific medical conditions during your visit.
How quickly can a nurse attend to a resident in an emergency?
CQC inspectors rated Downham Grange as Requires Improvement for Safe care on 25/07/2025. The Safe domain covers emergency protocols, staffing ratios, and risk management. Ask the home about nurse-to-resident ratios specifically during night and weekend shifts, when response times are most critical.
Are there regular GP visits, or do residents need to travel for appointments?
Residents at Downham Grange typically remain registered with a local GP who can visit the home for routine and urgent appointments. As a nursing care home, on-site nurses handle day-to-day clinical care. Ask the home which GP surgery they work with and how specialist referrals are managed.
What is your approach to pain management and end-of-life care?
CQC inspectors rated Downham Grange as Good for Caring on 25/07/2025. This domain specifically assesses how staff treat residents with compassion and dignity, including during palliative and end-of-life care. Ask the nursing team about their approach to pain management and whether they work with a local hospice or palliative care team.
What is the CQC rating for Downham Grange?
Downham Grange in Downham Market is rated Requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission. The most recent inspection was on 25/07/2025. The home has 62 beds.
How many beds does Downham Grange have?
Downham Grange has 62 beds and operates as a care home with nursing in Downham Market.
Location
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Other Care Homes in PE38
More from Kingsley Care Homes Limited
- Allonsfield House Woodbridge · Good
- Heron Lodge Norwich · Good
- Kirkley Manor Lowestoft · Good
Similar Caring for adults under 65 yrs homes
- Hebburn Manor Hebburn · Good
- Waterside Court Care Home Wallingford · Good
- Puddingstone Grange London · Good
Data from the Care Quality Commission, last updated March 2026. View on CQC website → How we use this data