Verulam House Nursing & Residential Care Home stands in attractive landscaped gardens in a mainly residential situation, which forms a part of the St. Albans Conservation area. Within easy walking distance of the Nursing Home lies St. Albans Cathedral amidst spacious and picturesque parkland. Adjacent to Verulam Road is located the Gorhambury Estate, the ancestral home of the Earl of Verulam.

Verulam House is situated in the heart of the historic City of St Albans, which dates back 2000 years. St Albans lies some 24miles from Central London and benefits from it's accessibility to the M1, M25 and A1(M).The nursing home is within easy walking distance of the town and the main shopping precincts. The historic Fishpool Street and George Street are close by and we are barely a quarter of a mile from the main retail areas of St. Peter's Street and the Maltings Shopping centre.

Formerly the Bishop's Palace, Verulam House is a grade II listed building and is of early nineteenth century origin. The famous architect Caroe introduced a number of important features which have been carefully preserved in the refurbishment. With the ancient Roman City of Verulamium lying in close proximity, Verulam House is surrounded by beautiful and historic landmarks.

Throughout the Second World War it was known as Diocesan House. It became a maternity hospital and a facility for training pupil midwives by the General Lying-In Hospital which had been evacuated from York Road, Lambeth, (Waterloo), in central London. During the period between September 1939 and June 1946 two thousand babies were born here. The General Lying-In Hospital was re-established at its former Lambeth premises in 1946 after the end of the war.

In 1994, Verulam House was sold by the Diocese of St Albans and a trust fund set up with the proceeds.

Our philosophy

We want residents to feel at home from their first day at Verulam House. Our staff stimulate active and independent lifestyles and encourage new friendships. Our aim is to provide a personalised nursing and care service which fully meets each individual resident’s needs.

Our facilities

• Landscaped garden with patio and seating areas
• 2 Lounges
• Separate activities room
• Wheelchair access throughout the home
• The majority of our rooms have en suite facilities
• Visiting dentist
• Visiting Hairdresser
• Visiting Chiropodist
• Visiting  Optician
• Visiting  Reflexologist
• Physiotherapy can be arranged through your own doctor or privately

Verulam House was refurbished into a five-star nursing home in 1996. A   lift services all floors and there are two beautiful lounges, one overlooking the gardens and one used mainly as a TV and video room by the residents.

The standard of furnishings in the lounges is in keeping with this high class   nursing home. A separate activities room allows the residents to work with our full time organiser on their hobbies and is large enough to hold parties and functions with all the residents from time to time.

24 Hour Care

To provide the very highest standard of 24 hour nursing care, our nursing team is led by Matron and her Deputy Matrons. As well as being Registered General Nurses, they all have extensive experience in elderly care.

The Services and Facilities Provided

Residents are cared for in either a nursing or residential environment according to their assessed needs. In addition to the 24-hour nursing and personal care, Verulam House provides the following services included in the fees:

• Full board and lodging, including all meals
• All heating and lighting
• A full personal laundry service (excluding dry cleaning)

Services provided by the NHS to the residents of the home include:

• Incontinence pads and aids (subject to assessment)
• General Practitioner (GP) medical services
• District Nursing services
• Dietician and dietetics advice
• Physiotherapy

Where residents need to attend appointments at hospitals, surgeries or clinics, we will arrange for them to be accompanied, where possible, if they or their family so wish.

Residents may have telephones installed in their own rooms, which will entail taking a contract out and paying for this separately with the telephone service provider.

Social Activities

Verulam House employs three Activities Organisers.  Between them they cover a full time activities programme, and hold recognised qualifications.

Residents are encouraged to pursue hobbies and leisure interests of their choice. Individual needs and wishes are identified in care plans, taking into account the resident’s abilities. We also respect absolutely each resident’s right not to participate in group activities, and will arrange one-to-one activity sessions according to need.

Regular activities are held seven days a week and a social events calendar is organised following discussions and regular meetings with the residents regarding their preferences. Activities include quiz sessions, exercise sessions, armchair dancing, craft, cooking and garden activities. Outings are also organised, the most recent being a trip to the London Eye. Trips are also organised to the Arena Theatre to see stage productions which residents are interested in attending. We welcome families and friends coming to take residents out, but must of course first conduct a risk assessment to assure the safety of both resident and visitor.