Fern Brook Lodge, Gillingham
CQC Inspection Breakdown
| Safe | Good |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Good |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Good |
About Fern Brook Lodge
St Martins Grange is a care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 75 people aged 65 and over. At the time of the inspection they were supporting 22 people. The service is split over two floors which were all accessible by stairs or a lift.
What residents and families say
People told us the staff treated them with kindness, respect and compassion.
One person said, “It’s marvellous here.
“It’s changed so much. It’s a fantastic home.”
Source: CQC inspection report
Specialisms
About Fern Brook Lodge
Situated in the SP8 postcode district of Gillingham, Dorset, Fern Brook Lodge operates as a care home with nursing focused on personalised, compassionate care. The home is operated by Care South and can accommodate up to 75 residents. Following their most recent inspection on 04/03/2020, the Care Quality Commission rated Fern Brook Lodge 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 and caring for adults over 65 yrs. The service supports dementia, older people, younger adults. The SP8 postcode area has 4 registered care homes with a combined 166 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.
Fern Brook Lodge is one of the care homes in Dorset — a local authority with 115 CQC-registered homes, 98 of which are rated Good or Outstanding.
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Further Reading & Official Sources
- Official CQC inspection report for Fern Brook Lodge
- View Fern Brook Lodge on Google Maps
- NHS care home finder near SP8 4QD
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 Fern Brook Lodge'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 Fern Brook Lodge on 04/03/2020 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?
Fern Brook Lodge has nursing staff experienced in supporting people with caring for adults under 65 yrs and dementia. In the most recent CQC inspection on 04/03/2020, 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 Fern Brook Lodge as Good for Safe care on 04/03/2020. 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 Fern Brook Lodge 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 Fern Brook Lodge as Good for Caring on 04/03/2020. 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 Fern Brook Lodge?
Fern Brook Lodge in Gillingham is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission. The most recent inspection was on 04/03/2020. The home has 75 beds.
How many beds does Fern Brook Lodge have?
Fern Brook Lodge has 75 beds and operates as a care home with nursing in Gillingham.
Location
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Other Care Homes in SP8
More from Care South
- Beauchamp House Nursing Home Taunton · Good
- Kenwith Castle Country House Care Bideford · Good
- Fairlawn Ferndown · 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