Enter and view: Annandale Lodge Nursing Home

Healthwatch Bedford Borough carried out an announced Enter and View visit to Annandale Lodge Nursing Home in Bedford on 19 February 2026 to observe care, speak with residents, relatives and staff, and assess the quality of services provided. 

Annandale Lodge is a nursing home registered to care for up to 24 residents. At the time of the visit, 23 residents were living at the home, including people with physical disabilities and dementia. The home had recently recruited staff and reported no vacancies, with very limited use of agency staff. 

Healthwatch found the home to be welcoming, clean and free from unpleasant odours. The entrance was well-signposted and accessible, and residents had access to a garden. The home employed 35 staff across nursing, care, housekeeping, maintenance, activities, catering and laundry roles. 

The report highlighted strong access to healthcare services. Residents received regular GP support through Goldington Avenue Surgery, and the home maintained good relationships with healthcare providers including a pharmacy, dental service, chiropodist, hairdresser and optician.

Staff were observed dealing appropriately with medication queries, and the report noted that training and induction processes were comprehensive. Staff received specialist dementia training and the home had champions supporting pressure ulcer prevention and nutrition. Most residents said they felt safe and were happy with the care they received. Relatives also expressed positive views about the quality of care.

The home demonstrated a commitment to keeping residents informed and engaged. Meeting minutes for residents and relatives were displayed, alongside information about staff roles. Residents could access current news through the Picture News service. However, inspectors noted that not all staff were wearing name badges and there was no “You Said, We Did” board to demonstrate how feedback had been acted upon. 

Residents reported having a high degree of choice and control over their daily lives, including when they got up, what they wore and when they went to bed. They could personalise their rooms and choose whether to participate in activities. Visiting hours were unrestricted, some residents were able to keep pets in their rooms, and the home adapted services in response to resident feedback, such as introducing a weekly Sunday sherry option. 

The report found that residents and relatives were listened to through regular meetings and questionnaires. Some residents indicated they would like more opportunities to go out, and the manager explained that outings were incorporated into care plans where possible, with recent trips including local cafés, pubs, parks and the town centre. 

Residents and relatives were actively involved in home life, including menu planning and activities. The home offered a variety of social opportunities such as arts and crafts, gardening, games, bingo, entertainers and religious services. Staff also operated a daily “stop and chat” initiative to spend time with residents who did not receive visitors. 

The main challenge identified by staff was adapting to a new rota system and managing increasing workloads associated with new processes. 

Overall, Healthwatch found Annandale Lodge to be a caring and well-regarded home where residents and relatives were largely very positive about the quality of care. The report made two recommendations: that all staff consistently wear visible identification badges, and that the home introduce a “You Said, We Did” board to show how resident and family feedback leads to improvements.