Drake Nursing Home, Plymouth
CQC Inspection Breakdown
| Safe | Good |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Good |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Good |
About Drake Nursing Home
Drake Nursing Home (hereafter referred to as Drake) is a nursing home providing personal and nursing care to 30 older people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 32 people and specialises in providing dementia care. The service is in a listed building in the Stoke area of Plymouth, set over three floors with lift access. There is a large accessible garden, lounge and dining area and quiet reminiscing area for people to sit and listen to music.
What residents and families say
Relatives told us they would be listened to if they needed to complain.
Source: CQC inspection report
Specialisms
About Drake Nursing Home
Drake Nursing Home provides nursing and personal care in Plymouth, Plymouth, supporting residents to live with dignity and independence. The home is operated by Darbyshire Care Limited and can accommodate up to 32 residents. Following their most recent inspection on 28/01/2020, the Care Quality Commission rated Drake Nursing Home as Good. Across the five inspection categories, the home scored Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-led. The home caters to a range of care needs, including caring for adults under 65 yrs, dementia, mental health conditions and caring for adults over 65 yrs. The service supports dementia, mental health, 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 PL1 postcode area has 10 registered care homes with a combined 296 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.
Drake Nursing Home is one of the care homes in Plymouth — a local authority with 88 CQC-registered homes, 68 of which are rated Good or Outstanding.
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Further Reading & Official Sources
- Official CQC inspection report for Drake Nursing Home
- View Drake Nursing Home on Google Maps
- NHS care home finder near PL1 5RH
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 Drake Nursing Home'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 Drake Nursing Home on 28/01/2020 and rated it Good. 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?
Drake Nursing Home has nursing staff experienced in supporting people with caring for adults under 65 yrs and dementia. In the most recent CQC inspection on 28/01/2020, the home was rated Good 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 Drake Nursing Home as Good for Safe care on 28/01/2020. 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 Drake Nursing Home 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 Drake Nursing Home as Good for Caring on 28/01/2020. 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 Drake Nursing Home?
Drake Nursing Home in Plymouth is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission. The most recent inspection was on 28/01/2020. The home has 32 beds.
How many beds does Drake Nursing Home have?
Drake Nursing Home has 32 beds and operates as a care home with nursing in Plymouth.
Location
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Other Care Homes in PL1
More from Darbyshire Care Limited
- Merchant House Plymouth · Good
- Hamilton House Plymouth · 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