Working at Swimbridge House Nursing Home
Welcombe Lane, Barnstaple, EX32 0QT
Operated by Vaneal Ltd
52 bedsNursing homes
Workplace Score
7.1/10
AI analysis of latest data
Our AI workplace review
PlainSight AI Review
Last updated: 10 February 2026
Score: 7.1/10
Key Finding
"Strong leadership and a positive culture where staff feel valued and proud, although occasional agency staffing and basic activities hold it back."
Safety & Risk
7/10
✓
Staff had good understanding of safeguarding, medicines managed safely with electronic system, risks assessed and accidents analysed to inform staffing.
Staff Culture
8/10
✓
Staff said they were proud to work at Swimbridge House Nursing Home and 'It makes staff feel valued' via employee of the month scheme.
Staffing Levels
6/10
✓
The service was still recruiting staff and occasional shortfalls were met through agency staff.
Training & Dev
7/10
✓
Staff received training in conditions relevant to people's health needs, such as Parkinson's disease and dementia, and were supported to progress in their career with qualifications.
Management
8/10
✓
Staff said, 'The home is very well-led. It's the attitude... lots of support for people and us. Communication is very good and our views feed into improvements.'
Programmes
6/10
✓
Activities included chair exercises, crafts, word games, music quiz, school visits and outings with Ernie 26 times in six months.
Points to consider
Staffing levels are fine but the home uses agency staff now and then and is still hiring more people.
The service was still recruiting staff and occasional shortfalls were met through agency staff.
There is a varied activities programme with outings and school visits but nothing specialist or award-winning.
A list of activities informed people what shared activities were available. They included, chair exercises, crafts, word games and a music quiz... Ernie took residents out 26 times
AI Generated
CQC Inspection Overview
CQC Inspection
Last inspected: January 2019
Good
Safe
✓
Good
Effective
✓
Good
Caring
✓
Good
Responsive
✓
Good
Management Quality
Well-led: Good
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- Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection Data
- PlainSight staff reviews