Orchard House
Orchard House is a residential care home in Herne Bay, Kent (CT6 5UD). It holds a CQC rating of Good.
About Orchard House
Orchard House is a care home in Herne Bay. We provide residential care for older people and younger adults, including people with a physical disability, and we offer respite stays alongside permanent places. Where somebody has a physical disability, the risk in any care setting is that life quietly narrows in the name of safety. It is always easier to bring things to a person than to get them out, and easier to do a task for somebody than to wait while they do it themselves. We try to notice when that is happening, because support that shrinks a person's world is not good care however tidy the paperwork looks. So we ask what people want to do rather than what is convenient to arrange, and we work out how to make it possible. Getting out, keeping up interests, seeing people, managing as much as somebody can manage themselves. Residents decide how their own day runs: when to get up, where to spend it and how much company they want. Rooms belong to the people in them, and visitors come when it suits them. Our most recent overall rating from the Care Quality Commission is good. If you are considering care in this part of Kent, please come and visit and talk to the people living here.
Care provided at Orchard House
- Older person care
- Physical disability support
- Younger adults care
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 22 October 2019
Read the full inspection report on the CQC website.
What the inspectors found
A plain English summary of the Care Quality Commission inspection behind the current rating of Orchard House. Report published 2 June 2022.
- 25 April 2022
- 15 places, 12 people were using the service at the time
Safe
Inspectors found that risks to people's health and welfare had been assessed. Staff had guidance to reduce these risks. Accidents and incidents were looked at for patterns, and action was taken to stop them happening again. People received their medicines as prescribed and there were enough staff who had been recruited safely.
Effective
Inspectors found that people's health needs were assessed and reviewed using recognised tools that follow government guidance. Staff had training for their roles, and had competency checks and supervisions. People were supported to have a balanced diet and to eat safely, and were referred to healthcare professionals when their needs changed.
Responsive
Inspectors found that care plans contained information about people's choices and preferences. Plans were reviewed when people's needs changed. People were supported at the end of their lives. The provider had a complaints policy and followed it when complaints were received.
Well-led
Inspectors found that checks and audits had been completed and had found shortfalls. Action had been taken to fix these. The provider had followed its action plan from the last inspection and was no longer in breach of regulations.
What people told the inspectors
People told inspectors they were happy living at the service. Relatives told inspectors they thought their loved ones were safe and well cared for.
Since the last inspection
Rated Good in June 2022, up from Requires improvement.
Safe moved from Requires improvement to Good; Effective moved from Requires improvement to Good; Responsive moved from Requires improvement to Good; Well-led moved from Requires improvement to Good; Caring is still Good.
- 25 April 2022: Inspection looking at part of the service
- 5 September 2019: Routine inspection
- 22 February 2017: Routine inspection
- 15 January 2016: Routine inspection
- 10 May 2013: Routine inspection
- 4 July 2012: Routine inspection
Read the full report on the CQC website
Source: Care Quality Commission inspection report, summarised by CareAssura. Contains CQC data used under the Open Government Licence.
How Orchard House compares in Canterbury
Measured against the 54 care homes for older people registered in Canterbury. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 15 places. Smaller than 44 of the 54 homes. The local average is 36 places.
- CQC rating
- Good. 34 of the 54 homes (63%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Kent the figure is 68%.
- Latest report
- 2 June 2022. 32 of the 54 homes have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- December 2010. One of the longer established homes. 45 of the 54 registered more recently.
- Food hygiene
- 5 out of 5. The top rating, shared by 46 of the 50 homes that have one.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Data: CQC register and Food Standards Agency ratings. Counts cover registered care homes for older people in Canterbury.
The local picture: Canterbury
What the numbers say about care for older people in Canterbury, in Kent.
What care costs in Kent, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care | £1,187 | £1,409 to £1,600 (Middle half of prices from 22 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing care | £1,378 | £1,550 to £1,865 (Middle half of prices from 11 Kent homes. Median £1,605.) |
| Residential dementia care | Not published separately | £1,500 to £1,619 (Middle half of prices from 18 Kent homes. Median £1,500.) |
| Nursing dementia care | Not published separately | £1,975 to £2,226 (South East figure, because too few Kent homes publish this price. 37 homes. Median £2,050.) |
Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price.
- People aged 75 and over: 19,800. Rising to 23,300 by 2035, up 17%
- People aged 85 and over: 5,300. Rising to 8,200 by 2035, up 54%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 2,600. Rising to 3,300 by 2035, up 28%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 73%. The NHS ambition is 67%. Kent as a whole is 62%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 91. Kent average is 77.
- Care homes, last 12 months: 1 opened, 2 closed. 5 changed owner, covering 153 beds.
- Care home beds filled across Kent: 88%. The 12 month average is 88%.
- Who pays, across Kent (estimate): 35% council, 43% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, dementia estimates, CQC register), published care home prices, council planning records.
Good to know about Orchard House
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 16 December 2010, so 15 years.
- Food hygiene rating
- 5 out of 5. Very good. Last inspected by the local council on 14 August 2025.
- Run by
- HMT Care Limited, which runs 2 adult social care services in England. All 2 that have a rating are rated Good or Outstanding.
Sources: CQC register, Food Standards Agency, OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances are in a straight line from the postcode, not walking or driving routes.
Local services near Orchard House
The closest places to this home, measured in a straight line from its postcode. They are the nearest, not necessarily the ones the home uses. Ask the home which GP, dentist and pharmacy its residents are registered with.
Nearest 24 hour A&E
- Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate, 11.3 miles away
It is about 11.3 miles in a straight line from the postcode. The drive is usually longer. In an emergency call 999; the ambulance may take you elsewhere.
Nearest GP practices
- Park Surgery, 0.7 miles away
- The Heron Medical Practice, 0.8 miles away
- Sturry Surgery, 3.9 miles away
Nearest dentists
- Mydentist, 0.6 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Herne Bay Dental Surgery, 0.8 miles away (NHS.uk details)
- Sea Street Dental Practice, 0.9 miles away (NHS.uk details)
Nearest pharmacies
- Park Pharmacy, 0.7 miles away
- Hollytree Pharmacy, 0.7 miles away
- Boots, 0.8 miles away
Nearest railway stations
- Herne Bay Station, 0.6 miles away
- Chestfield & Swalecliffe Station, 2.7 miles away
- Sturry Station, 4.1 miles away
Around Orchard House
- H: Orchard House
- A: 24 hour A&E
- G: GP practice
- D: Dentist
- P: Pharmacy
- S: Railway station
Straight line distances, not routes. Places very close to the home are spread out slightly so they can be told apart.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Practice and pharmacy details from the NHS England Organisation Data Service. A&E sites from NHS England A&E data and the Organisation Data Service. Railway stations from the Department for Transport NaPTAN dataset. Distances are straight line and approximate.
Common questions about Orchard House
Where is Orchard House located?
Orchard House is a residential care home in Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5UD. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does Orchard House provide?
Orchard House is registered to provide residential personal care, with support that includes Older person care, Physical disability support, Younger adults care, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is Orchard House's CQC rating?
Orchard House is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Good following its last inspection on 22 October 2019. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does Orchard House offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. Orchard House offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about Orchard House
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
No. Orchard House is not listed for dementia care on the CQC register. If dementia is likely, choose a home that is, so a second move is not needed later.
Is there a nurse on site if health needs change?
No. Orchard House is a residential care home without on-site nursing. District nurses and GPs visit, but someone who needs daily nursing may have to move to a nursing home.
Can they try a short stay before deciding?
Yes. Yes. Orchard House offers respite and short stays, which is a good way to see whether the home is the right fit.
Will they support end of life care, so there is no move at the hardest time?
Ask the home. End of life care is not listed on the register. Ask the manager whether residents can remain in the home with hospice or district nurse support.
Can she bring her cat or dog?
Ask the home. The home has not told us its pet policy yet. Ask directly; some homes allow small pets in residents' rooms or welcome visiting dogs.
Can a couple stay together?
Ask the home. We do not know whether the home has rooms for couples. Ask about shared or adjoining rooms if this matters.
Will the council help pay, or is it self funded only?
Ask the home. The home has not told us which funding it accepts. Most homes take both council funded and self funded residents; ask about council rates and any top up.
Do they take younger adults as well as older people?
Yes. Yes. Orchard House supports younger adults as well as older people.
Can I visit before deciding, and are there visiting hours?
Ask the home. Every home should welcome a visit. Call to arrange one, ideally at a mealtime or during an activity, and ask about visiting hours for family.
Typical weekly fees in the South East
Orchard House has not published its fees yet. These are typical weekly fees for the South East, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
- Residential care: £1,100 to £1,450 per week per person, typical range
Indicative figures for the South East, not a quote from Orchard House. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
Explore more
More care homes in Herne Bay
- Broomfield Lodge — CQC Good
- H M T Care - 48 Albany Drive — CQC Good
- Harbour Care Home — CQC Good
- High Pines Residential Home — CQC Good
- Kimberley Residential Home — CQC Good
- Miramar Care Home — CQC Good
Browse all care homes in Herne Bay.