The Links
The Links is a nursing home in Broadstone, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BH18 8BE). It holds a CQC rating of Outstanding.
About The Links
The Links is a nursing home in Broadstone, caring for older people who need qualified nursing alongside help with daily life, and for younger adults whose nursing needs are best met in a setting like ours. Nurses are on duty at all hours, which means changes in someone's health are picked up and acted on quickly. Many of the people living here are living with dementia. We keep the day unhurried and familiar, we keep staff consistent so residents are not constantly meeting strangers, and we pay attention to what behaviour is telling us when speech has become difficult. Small things matter: the same mug, the same chair, a walk at the same time each afternoon. We manage complex medication, wound and pressure care and conditions that need close monitoring, but nursing is only the foundation. Residents should still be able to choose when to get up, what to eat, where to sit and who to see. We try hard to keep those choices genuine rather than nominal. Respite stays are available for people recovering after a hospital admission and for families who care at home and need a proper break. We would rather a short stay was planned well than squeezed in. Families are welcome here and we would always prefer to hear a concern early. If you would like to look round Broadstone's options, please include us and ask us anything.
Care provided at The Links
- Older person care
- Dementia care
- Younger adults care
- Respite care
- Last CQC inspection: 10 October 2018
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 The Links. Report published 3 November 2023.
- 27 July 2023
- 68 places, 66 people were using the service at the time
Safe
Inspectors found that people felt safe and had their medicines given safely. Risks were understood, and agreed actions to reduce avoidable harm were carried out, monitored and regularly reviewed. There were enough staff with the right skills and experience, and recruitment practices were robust.
Responsive
Inspectors found that staff worked closely with people and their families to find innovative ways to give person centred care. This care reflected each person's unique history, culture and diversity. Social activities were inclusive and varied, and people received high quality care at the end of their lives, with staff working to make sure last wishes were achieved.
Well-led
Inspectors found that staff were highly motivated and could share many examples of positive outcomes for people. A strong emphasis was placed on staff wellbeing. Quality checks had been effective at sustaining standards, and new ideas were researched and trialled to make sure best practice continued.
Since the last inspection
Rated Outstanding in November 2023, the same overall rating as before (Outstanding).
Safe is still Good; Effective is still Good; Caring is still Good; Responsive is still Outstanding; Well-led is still Outstanding.
- 3 November 2023: Inspection looking at part of the service, rated Outstanding. This inspection gave the current rating.
- 5 August 2021: Inspection looking at part of the service
- 10 October 2018: Routine inspection, rated Outstanding
- 20 February 2016: Routine inspection, rated Good
- 30 March 2015: Routine inspection, rated Requires improvement
- 5 December 2014: Inspection looking at part of the service
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 The Links compares in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Measured against the 105 care homes for older people registered in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The dark dot is this home.
- Size
- 68 places. Larger than 84 of the 105 homes. The local average is 41 places.
- CQC rating
- Outstanding. 93 of the 105 homes (89%) are rated Good or Outstanding. Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole the figure is 89%.
- Latest report
- 3 November 2023. 58 of the 105 homes have published a newer inspection report since.
- Registered
- October 2012. 64 of the 105 homes registered more recently.
- Care offered
- Nursing and dementia care. Of the 105 homes, 32 offer nursing care and 70 offer dementia care.
- Food hygiene
- 5 out of 5. The top rating, shared by 84 of the 90 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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
The local picture: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
What the numbers say about care for older people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
What care costs in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, per week
| Type of care | What the council pays | What self-funders are typically asked |
|---|
| Residential care | £1,220 | £1,400 to £1,650 (South West figure, because too few Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole homes publish this price. 52 homes. Median £1,549.) |
| Nursing care | £1,293 | £1,599 to £1,983 (South West figure, because too few Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole homes publish this price. 16 homes. Median £1,810.) |
| Residential dementia care | Not published separately | £1,450 to £1,813 (South West figure, because too few Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole homes publish this price. 19 homes. Median £1,665.) |
| Nursing dementia care | Not published separately | £1,890 to £2,221 (England figure, because too few Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole homes publish this price. 75 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: 49,100. Rising to 55,700 by 2035, up 13%
- People aged 85 and over: 13,900. Rising to 19,900 by 2035, up 43%
- Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 6,400. Rising to 7,800 by 2035, up 21%
- Dementia diagnosis rate: 63%. The NHS ambition is 67%.
- Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 79
- Care homes, last 12 months: 1 opened, 0 closed. 6 changed owner, covering 203 beds.
- Care home beds filled across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: 86%. The 12 month average is 86%.
- Who pays, across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (estimate): 38% council, 46% 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 The Links
Facts from public registers, and what is close by.
- Registered with CQC
- 26 October 2012, so 14 years.
- Food hygiene rating
- 5 out of 5. Very good. Last inspected by the local council on 13 February 2025.
- Run by
- Bupa Care Homes (PT Links) Limited, which runs this service only.
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 The Links
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
- Poole Hospital, Poole, 3.1 miles away
It is about 3.1 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
Nearest dentists
Nearest pharmacies
Nearest railway stations
- Hamworthy Station, 3 miles away
- Poole Station, 3.2 miles away
- Parkstone (Dorset) Station, 3.5 miles away
Around The Links
- H: The Links
- 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 The Links
Where is The Links located?
The Links is a nursing home in Broadstone, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH18 8BE. You can view its exact location and get directions from the map on this page.
What type of care does The Links provide?
The Links is registered to provide nursing and personal care, with support that includes Older person care, Dementia care, Younger adults care, Respite care. The full list of services is shown on this page.
What is The Links's CQC rating?
The Links is registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Its most recent overall rating is Outstanding following its last inspection on 10 October 2018. You can read the full CQC report from the link on this page.
Does The Links provide dementia care?
Yes. The Links supports people living with dementia. We recommend contacting the home directly to discuss your individual situation.
Does The Links offer respite or short-term care?
Yes. The Links offers respite and short-term care. Availability changes regularly, so it is best to enquire directly.
Questions families ask about The Links
Can Mum or Dad stay here if their dementia gets worse?
Yes. The Links is registered for dementia care, so someone whose needs increase can usually stay rather than move.
Is there a nurse on site if health needs change?
Yes. Yes. The Links is registered to provide nursing care, so registered nurses are part of the team.
Can they try a short stay before deciding?
Yes. Yes. The Links 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. The Links 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 West
The Links has not published its fees yet. These are typical weekly fees for the South West, so you know roughly what to expect before you call.
- Residential care: £1,000 to £1,300 per week per person, typical range
- Dementia care: £1,100 to £1,400 per week per person, typical range
- Nursing care: £1,250 to £1,600 per week per person, typical range
Indicative figures for the South West, not a quote from The Links. Actual fees depend on the room, the level of care and how it is funded.
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