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Irwell Resthome

At a glance
Vacancy
Yes
Name
Irwell Resthome
Category
Rest Home
Address
11 Irwell Street
Island Bay
Wellington 6023
Postal Address
Same as above
Region
Wellington
Phone
View Phone Number
Email
View Email Address
Web
Visit Website
Personnel
Manager
John Nicolson - (04) 383 8485
Owner
Heather & John Nicolson - (04) 383 8485
Photos
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If you would like more information please make contact either by phone (04) 383 8485  or email office@irwell.co.nz

Look forward to hearing from you.

Our Mission Statement is
"Caring for Elderly in a Family Environment".
We are a Privately Owned and operated Rest Home in Island Bay Wellington. Irwell is a Family focused Rest Home,the Owner/Manager (John) and his Wife (Heather) are readily available to Residents, Family and Staff.
We have a passion for Caring for the Elderly and invite you to come and visit us.
We enjoy welcoming new people into our 'Irwell Family' for Short term care, Long term care, Respite care and Convalescent care.
We have an under 65 contract
Service/Facility Details
Service/Facility Details
Detail Status
Contract with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Yes
Certification Yes
ORA Applies No

Updated: 7 May 2025

Bed and Vacancy Details
Bed and Vacancy Details
Detail Status
Approximate number of beds at this level of care 60
Vacancy Yes
Rest Home beds All Rooms are en-suited. We cater for Long term, Short term, Respite, Convalescing, Subsidised and Private. We have an 'Under 65's contract with DHB'Contact John Nicolson if you would like further information or would like to have a look around.
Impending vacancy Yes - RESPITE IS OUR SPECIALTY
Short stay considered Yes
Premium Accommodation Charges No
MOH Certification and Audit Report View MOH certification and audit report (opens in a new tab)
Extra admission requirements due to COVID-19 Please enquire

Updated: 9 May 2025

Personnel
Personnel
Type Hours Per Week Status Details
Registered Nurse 80 Yes We have two Registered Nurses working throughout the week. The Registered Nurse's were employed for their passion of working with the Elderly. All Registered Nurses have undertaken InterRAI training
Nurse Practitioner 8 No We have a visiting Nurse Practitioner who visits the rest home for 8 hours each week and is on call 24/7
Healthcare Assistants/Caregivers Yes We have higher than required caregiving levels, this ensures we are able to provide individual,'non-rushed' care to the Residents. We have 14 Caregivers who have their level 4 Health and Wellbeing certificates and 7 who have their level 3. We have another 5 Caregivers who are currently studying for their level 3.
Physiotherapist Yes Community Physiotherapists are available.
Occupational Therapist Yes Community Occupational Therapist are available.
Social Worker (on site) Yes Social Workers are accessed through C&CDHB services. We also work with Age Concern, Wesleycare and other Agencies.
Activities Co-ordinator 56 Yes Activities Coordinator/Officers work over 7 days from 9am - 5pm providing a stimulating, meaningful programme incorporating 'specialist days, cultural parties, celebrations. Games, Arts, Craft, Current Affairs, Outings, Movies.
Hairdresser Yes Hairdresser visits three weekly, more often when required.
Podiatrist Yes Podiatirst visits every four weeks.
Dietitian Yes Community based Dietician is used to audit and assist writing out menus, providing in-house education sessions for staff and giving advice on special diets.
Accredited Visitors Yes Dog Thearapy visit regularly
Kaumatua Yes Visiting Kaumatua available when requested. Also provides education and guidance to staff.
Chaplain/Spiritual Advisor Yes Interdenominational Church Services are held every two weeks. Catholic Service Visitors visit on Tuesday mornings offering Communion. Presbyterian Ministers visit regularly. Hindu, Muslim Preachers available when requested.
Other Personnel Yes Maintenance Personnel

Updated: 7 May 2025

Specialities or Areas of Expertise
Specialities or Areas of Expertise
Specialities or Areas of Expertise Status Details
End of Life/Palliative Care Yes We work closely with Mary Potter Hospice and District Nurses when this type of care is required.
Wound Care Yes Staff have undertaken specialised education in Wound care. Input from District Nursing is available.
Diabetic Care Yes Highly skilled Staff in care of Diabetics both Type 1 and Type 2. Training is undertaken using the C&CDHB diabetes services.
Continence Advice Yes There are experienced Staff to assist with continence assessments and correct use of incontinent products. Support from C&CDHB continence nurses is available
Stomal Therapy Yes
Stroke Rehabilitation Yes We can assist resident's as per instructions from Physiothearapists. (note: the resident needs to be rest home level)
ACC Rehabilitation Yes We regularly have ACC clients staying while rehabilitating from their injury.
Infection Control Yes Excellent Infection policies and procedures followed. We have a good relationship with the infection control nurses.
Surgical Followup Yes
Clinical Management Yes

Updated: 7 May 2025

Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay
Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay
Respite, Carer Support or other Short Stay Status Details
Respite Yes Providing respite care is an important part of our philosophy of care. If you are needing respite care it is a good idea to book well in advance though to ensure a bed is available when you require it.
Carer Support Yes Carer support is provided by offering respite care to relatives. If you are needing respite care during the summer break please book now.
Other Short Stay Programme Yes We have a contract to provide care for under 65 year olds.
High Care Needs Yes
Subsidised Yes We have residents who are subsidies for their care.
Private Paying Yes Some Resident's pay for their care.
Booking can be made in advance Yes Bookings are regularly made in advance, this is especially the case with respite care.

Updated: 7 May 2025

Features
Features
Feature Status Details
May Bring Own Furniture Yes Yes, Residents are encouraged to bring items of importance with them. Bedrooms come with Bed, Chest of Drawers, Chair, Wall Unit, Flat Screen TV, Refrigerator. These items can be used OR removed if personal items are to be used.
Single Rooms Yes All bedrooms at Irwell Rest Home are Single - all have their own full ensuite (shower, vanity, toilet, heating, nurse call bells).
Shared Rooms No We believe when you have reached a certain age it is important to have a place where you can be by yourself if you wish. To have a place where you can talk freely with Relatives, Friends and others.
Rooms suitable for a couple Yes We do not have rooms that suit Couples but do accommodate couples by having room besides each other. Some couples have used one room as their bedroom and the other as a lounge type room.
Ensuite Yes ALL Bedrooms have full ensuites.
Alcohol Permitted Yes Yes alcohol is permitted, although it must not be shared with other Residents. There is Happy Hour twice a week, there is no cost to Residents to attend Happy Hour.
Pets In Residence Yes There is one Service dog as well as Dogs that live on-site in the Rest Home supervisors apartment.
Negotiate To Bring Own Pet Yes Each request to bring your own pet will be discussed during the admission process.
Phone Access In Own Room Yes Some rooms have their own telephone - there is no cost for local calls to the Residents. There are two 'communal phones for resident's to use. Most resident's have their own cellphones.
Wifi Yes The Rest Home is Wifi compatible - we do not provide computers or tablets for Residents use though. BUT we do have ipads available for resident's to use for Zoom calls, messenger videos etc.
Resident can adjust heating in own room Yes Yes, Residents have their own heaters in their bedroom and bathroom.
Cater for under 65 yrs with Disability Yes We encourage those needing care and are under 65 to contact us to discuss admission requirements.
Lounges/seating areas Yes We have two main lounges as well as one sun room lounge, one library/reading room, one smoking lounge (soley for smokers use only).
Gay / LGBT IQ Friendly Yes We have a diverse culture living and working at the rest home. We DO NOT judge anyone on their: Sexual Orientation, Race. Colour. or Religous Beliefs etc.
Primary Health Funded Short Term Care Yes Respite Care and ACC Pathway funded care.
Provide End of Life/Palliative Care Yes
Palliative Care Contract Yes
Outings Yes Residents are taken on outings once - twice a week visiting local attractions.
Whānau Room Yes
Māori Kaupapa Yes We have Resident's and staff who identify as Maori. We have access to the local Island Bay Marae.
Residents Committee Yes Meetings are held Monthly.
Newsletter Yes We ensure regular newsletters are emailed to all contacts. More frequently with urgent 'general type' messages.
Policy for management of challenging behaviour Yes Staff receive training in the management of challenging behaviour - both for Residents and when faced with other challenging situations.
Confused Residents Yes All Residents who live in Rest Homes facilities would have a degree of confusion, all are assessed as being rest home level.
Rural Setting Yes Whilst the Rest Home is in a central Wellington location (10 minutes to the Airport, 5 minutes to Wellington Hospital, 8 minutes to the Wellington Motorway) it enjoys rural views and views out to Cook Strait. There are nice views (rural and sea) from all rooms.
Smokers Room Yes Irwell Rest Home provides a smokers lounge for use of Residents who smoke only. There is no limit to the amount of time spent in this lounge.
Smoking Permitted Yes It is a person right to smoke if THEY wish BUT only in the smoking room.
Semi-Secure Yes Irwell is locked from 5pm - 7am. Access during these hours is by security only. During day hours open access available to all. All Visitors must sign the Visitors book when entering and leaving.

Updated: 7 May 2025

Special Features
Special Features
Our Rest Home is a privately owned and operated Rest Home, one of the last privately owned rest homes in the Wellington area.
The Manager John and his wife Heather are at the Rest Home daily ensuring the day to day running always go smoothly.
We have a highly qualified Staff member who lives at the Rest Home being available if urgent situations arise overnight.

John and Heather built the Rest Home 27 years ago, some of our Staff have worked with us for 26 years.

We have a low staff turnover, this is a reflection of how Management and Staff have excellent working relationships.

Updated: 7 May 2025

Interests & Activities
Interests & Activities
Activity programme runs 7 days a week with a variety of things to keep minds active.
Age Concern are available when requested or a need is seen.
Alzheimer's Society provide talks to staff and families.
Arthritis society available for support.
Big print books a large selection is available in one of the Library areas.
Bingo is played
Blind Foundation is available when required - they provide the talking books service.
Board games, ludo, snakes & ladders, chess to name a few are played.
Bowls are played
Canine friends visit
Cards games are played
Chapel, church services are held by local churches.
Classical, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's music is played, discs are also available if residents wish to play them in their own room.
Concerts are held regularly, local schools and service clubs come and entertain us.
Crafts are held during our activities programme.
Dancing is a regular thing, it helps with stiff joints, and is a fun thing to do.
Electric beds are available in certain situations.
Email services are available.
Entertainers visit Irwell regularly.
Entertainment is provided in the activity programme.
Exercises are held daily, these exercises benefit all who attend.
Games are played, teams are formed, great rivalry.
Garden there are gardens that can be walked around.
Gardening is undertaken by those who wish to, there are raised beds for ease of use.
Greypower are accessed if and when required.
Happy Hour occurs twice weekly at no extra cost.
Housie is held weekly
Indoor Games form part of the activity programme
Internet is available - if you have your own computer Wifi is available in all bedrooms.
Jigsaw puzzles - there is a large selection suitable for all abilities.
Library - there are two libraries that have a wide and varied selection of books.
Lectures are held every Saturday.
We have a good Man/Woman ratio
Minibus - there is a minibus that takes residents on outings.
Minigolf - is played as part of the activities programme
Movies are watched - residents choice
Music - is played daily.
Newspaper reading - occurs as part of the activities programme.
Outings - residents are taken out for drives around the local area and further afield.
Parties - any excuse to hold a party where we all dress up and have FUN!!! Parties are usually theme days that coorespond with event days. (Valentines Day, Easter, St Patricks etc).
Pastoral care - we are not affiliated with any Church group but have contact details for all known groups in our area.
Pianist - come and entain us.
Picnic facilities - we have outdoor areas that are available.
Quizzes - regular quizzes are held with prizes
Reading - there are quiet areas of the rest home where residents are able to read. Staff are available to read to residents if this is needed.
Shopping - if residents need to go shopping this can be arranged.
Sing-a-longs occur daily
Vegetarian, Vegans, Gluten-free plus cultural limited dietary requirements - all their dietary needs are met.
Views - pleasant views from almost every window.

Updated: 7 May 2025

Additional Information
Additional Information
Topic Details
What's included in your fees and what's not To be discussed during the admission process.
Staffing qualifications and details We have a high level of staffing - this is commented on each time we are Audited. Two Registered Nurses, Clinical Quality Officer, Care Coordinator, Shift Leaders, Care Staff, Cooks, Kitchen Assistants, Cleaners, Laundry, Maintenance Staff. We do not have less staff during the weekends or public holidays, staff numbers remain the same during this time.
Details about meals We have a six week menu that is flexible to accommodate special functions, dietary needs, weather/climate changes. Our menus are audited as per the Ministry guidelines.
Visitor information General Visiting is permitted. We do not require visitors to wear a mask. We discourage any visitor who is unwell or been mixing with anyone who is unwell.
Internet access There is internet access throughout the rest home. Ipads are available for Zoom and messenger video calls.
Transport There is a rest home van that takes resident's to appointments and general outings. There is a bus stop 3 minutes walk away. This Bus can take you all the way to the Wellington Railway Station via Wellington Hospital. The bus usually runs hourly.

Updated: 7 May 2025

Languages Spoken
Languages Spoken
Language Status Details
Arabic Yes
Burmese Yes
Cantonese Yes
Chinese Yes
Cook Island Maori Yes
Deaf Blind Sign Language Yes Some Staff have undertaken NZ sign language course.
English Yes
Ethiopian Yes
Fijian Yes
Fijian Indian Yes
Filipino Yes
French Yes
German Yes
Greek Yes
Gujarati Yes
Hindi Yes
Indonesian Yes
Interpreter Yes Interpreters are available to assist with communication needs.
Italian Yes
Japanese Yes
Khmer (Cambodian) Yes
Kurdish Yes
Malayalam Yes
Māori - Te Reo Yes Several Staff fluent in Te Reo
Nepali Yes
Niuean Yes
Polish Yes
Punjabi Yes
Rarotongan Yes
Rumanian Yes
Russian Yes
Samoan Yes
Sign Language Yes Some Staff have undertaken NZ sign language course.
Sri Lankan Yes
Tamil Yes
Tongan Yes
Urdu Yes

Updated: 7 May 2025

Religious/Spiritual Affiliations
Religious/Spiritual Affiliations
Religious/Spiritual Affiliations Status Details
Anglican Yes We can access members of the Anglican Community. We have members of staff who identify as Anglican.
Baha'i Yes We can access members of the Baha'i Community.
Baptist Yes We can access members of the Baptist Community. We have members of staff who identify as Baptist.
Brethren Yes We can access members of the Brethren Community.
Buddhist Yes We can access members of the Buddhist Community. We have members of staff who identify as Buddhist.
Christian Yes
Hindu Yes We can access members of the Hindu Community. We have members of staff who identify as Hindu.
Inter denominational Yes
Muslim Yes We can access members of the Muslim Community. We have members of staff who identify as Muslim.
Jehovah Witness Yes We can access members of the Jehovah Community.
Jewish Yes We can access members of the Jewish Community.
Lutherism Yes We can access members of the Lutherism Community.
Methodist Yes We can access members of the Methodist Community. We have members of staff who identify as Methodist.
Orthodox Christian Yes We can access members of the Orthodox Community.
Pentecostal Yes We can access members of the Pentecostal Community.
Presbyterian Yes We can access members of the Presbyterian Community. We have members of staff who identify as Presbyterian.
Roman Catholic Yes We can access members of the Roman Catholic Community. We have members of staff who identify as Catholic.
Salvation Army Yes We can access members of the Salvation Army Community. We have members of staff who identify as Salvationists.
Seventh Day Adventist Yes We can access members of the Seventh Community.
Sikh Yes We can access members of the Sikh Community.
Spiritualist/New Age Yes We can access members of the Spiritualist Community. We have members of staff who identify as Spiritualist.
(Other comments) Yes We are not affiliated to any Religious organisation or group. We encourage Resident's to continue to follow the Religion of their choice and can assist with sourcing Preachers, Priests, Ministers, Church Leaders when we are asked to do so.

Updated: 7 May 2025

Ethnic Diets
Ethnic Diets
Ethnic Diet Status Details
Chinese Yes We can and are happy to provide some non-European food but do have limitations.
Halal Yes We can and are happy to provide some non-European food but do have limitations.
Indian Yes We can and are happy to provide some non-European food but do have limitations.
Other Yes Celiac disease, Gluten-free
Vegan Yes
Vegetarian Yes

Updated: 7 May 2025

Distances
Distances
Location Distance Details
Public Transport 0.20 Km There is reasonably good public transport at the end of our Street approx 2 minute walk away. The bus (No 29) runs hourly taking you right to the Railway Station via Island Bay shops and Wellington Hospital. The 20 route also takes you to Brooklyn shopping centre.
Shops 2.00 Km We have a shop on site at the Rest Home where Resident's are able to purchase the 'necessities of life'. Island Bay Shops are a short bus or taxi ride away. Cuba Mall in the city centre is approx 7 minute car ride away, Kilbirnie shops are 8 minute car ride away.
Mall 6.00 Km Closest mall shopping is the Airport Retail Centre Lyall Bay (an open-air shopping precinct which is approx 9 minute car ride away).
Parks 0.20 Km There are several parks in the local area. Tawatawa reserve is 2 minute walk away.
Library 2.00 Km Island Bay library is on the bus route.

Updated: 7 May 2025

Credentials & Membership
Credentials & Membership
Credentials & Membership RC Status Details
Care Association New Zealand Yes
National Certificate in Diversional Therapy Yes
Aged Care Association New Zealand (ACA) Yes
Police checked Yes
New Zealand Dental Association Yes
Registered Dentist Yes
Trade Registered Yes
Spark of Life Yes
Other details Yes InterRAI training Registered Staff
Care Association New Zealand Aged Care Association New Zealand (ACA)

Updated: 7 May 2025


The Ministry of Health conducts regular audits of Residential Care Facilities. They can be found HERE.