Understanding Nursing Homes & Care Homes in Plymouth
If you’re researching long-term care options for yourself or a loved one, you’ve likely come across the terms “nursing home” and “care home” used almost interchangeably. Whilst a nursing home technically falls under the category of a care home, the two types can be quite distinct from one another – not all care homes are nursing homes.
We’re here to help you understand the differences between a nursing home and a care home in Plymouth, so you can find the right level of support for your needs.
The Main Difference: Registered Nursing Staff
From an outside perspective, a nursing home and a care home might look the same if you don’t know what to look for; however, there is one key difference between the options: registered nurses.
A Care Home
A care home, often referred to as a residential care home, is staffed by trained carers who support residents with day-to-day activities – washing, dressing, eating, mobility, and medication. These carers are not required to hold a nursing qualification.
A Nursing Home
A nursing home provides everything a residential care home does, plus there’s a qualified nurse on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Registered nurses assess and manage residents’ clinical needs, such as diabetes, heart failure, wound care, and catheter care, and administer prescribed medications, including injections, as necessary.
Similarities
Both options are inspected and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which assesses each home against five key areas: safety, effectiveness, caring, responsiveness and leadership. A care home’s CQC report will formally state whether they can provide nursing care, residential care, or both.
Which Type of Care Is Suited for Your Needs?
Residential care is suitable for you if you can no longer manage independently at home but don’t have complex medical needs that require ongoing clinical intervention.
On the other hand, nursing care would be suited for you if you are frail, recovering from a hospital stay, or living with a condition that needs regular attention from a registered nurse – for example, advanced dementia with physical health complications, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, or end-of-life and palliative care.
If you’re unsure, a formal care needs assessment can be arranged through your GP, hospital discharge team or local authority, such as Plymouth City Council, which will determine the level of care required.
Care Home Cost Differences in Plymouth
We appreciate that costs can be a major concern when you’ve made the decision to move into a nursing or residential care home.
Because nursing homes require round-the-clock nursing staff, they cost more than residential care. According to carehome.co.uk in 2026, the average weekly cost for self-funding in the UK is £1,298 for residential care and £1,535 for nursing care.
Locally, at The Lawns in Brixton, Plymouth, the only difference in room prices between our residential occupancies, and those with specialist nursing care as well, is the NHS-Funded Nursing Care (FNC) contribution.
Care Home Funding
The NHS-Funded Nursing Care is a fixed weekly contribution paid directly by the NHS to the care home for the registered nursing element of care, in addition to the room fee. (Your eligibility for this depends on a nurse’s assessment of your needs, not based on your income or savings.)
You may also qualify for Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance, and those with substantial, ongoing healthcare needs may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which covers care home costs in full.
It’s worth asking any care home you’re considering to help you check which of these apply to your circumstances.
Dual-Registered Care Homes: The Best of Both
Some care homes, like The Lawns Nursing and Residential Home, are dual-registered with the CQC to provide both residential and nursing care under one roof.
This matters because your needs often change over time. If your health declines, they can step up the level of medical support without the need for a stressful move to a different home. This is especially valuable for those living with progressive conditions, such as dementia.
Questions to Ask When Comparing Care Homes in Plymouth
Whichever option you’re considering, it’s worth asking:
- Is the care home CQC-registered for nursing care, residential care, or both?
- What is their current CQC rating, and when was it last inspected?
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio, and is a registered nurse on site 24/7?
- Do they have experience with specific conditions, such as dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, or end of life?
- How do they work with local healthcare professionals, such as GPs, district nurses, occupational therapists, and Speech and Language Therapists (SALT)?
- Can they support a resident whose needs increase over time, or would you need to move?
The Lawns: Nursing & Residential Care Under One Roof in Plymouth
At The Lawns Nursing & Residential Care Home in Brixton, just outside of Plymouth, we are dual-registered with the CQC, providing both Residential and Nursing Care, alongside Dementia Care, Respite Care, and Palliative Care.
Supported by a nurse on call 24/7, our team is led by Registered Manager Sam Burdekin (RGN) and Deputy Manager Lucie Burdekin. Because we offer both levels of care in one home, you can move between residential and nursing support as your needs change, without having to relocate.
If you’d like to discuss which type of care is right for you or your loved one, call us on 01752 880465 or fill in our contact form to arrange a visit. You can also read our latest CQC report before you decide.