The Dispensary is a residential care home in Durham, run by Swanton Care & Community (Autism North) Limited (part of Swanton Care and Community). It has 5 registered beds and supports younger adults, people with a physical disability, people with a learning disability or autism and people with mental health needs.
CQC rated it Good overall in August 2025. It was rated Outstanding for caring. Across County Durham, 92% of the 140 rated care homes are Good or Outstanding.
CQC rating
Good
Published 15 August 2025
Rated 1 year ago
- SafeAre people protected from abuse and avoidable harm?Good
- EffectiveDoes care achieve good outcomes and a good quality of life?Good
- CaringAre staff kind, compassionate and respectful?★Outstanding
- ResponsiveAre services organised to meet people's needs?Good
- Well-ledIs the home well managed, with a culture of high-quality care?Good
Read the full inspection report on cqc.org.uk ↗
How it compares in County Durham
The Dispensary is in the Good, with Outstanding areas tier, alongside 11 other homes in County Durham.
Of the 140 rated care homes here, 92% are Good or Outstanding
(England: 83%).
- Outstanding 10 (7%)
- Good, with Outstanding areas 12 (8%)
- Good 99 (69%)
- Good, with an area to improve 8 (6%)
- Requires improvement 11 (8%)
- Not yet rated 3 (2%)
Half of County Durham's ratings are more than 3.7 years old. How tiers work
See all 143 care homes in County Durham →
The provider's other homes
Swanton Care & Community (Autism North) Limited runs 15 care homes registered with CQC: 1 Outstanding, 12 Good, 2 Requires improvement.
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Linden Terrace
Whitley Bay, North Tyneside · NE26 2AA · Residential care home · 4 beds
★Outstanding
S: GoodE: GoodC: OutstandingR: OutstandingW: Good
Rated 7 months ago
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Murton Grange
Seaham, County Durham · SR7 9RQ · Residential care home · 10 beds
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: OutstandingW: Good
Rated 3 years ago
-
Trinity House
Seaham, County Durham · SR7 9RQ · Residential care home · 7 beds
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: OutstandingW: Good
Rated 6 years ago
-
All Saints Vicarage
Hetton-Le-Hole, Sunderland · DH5 9AJ · Residential care home · 7 beds
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: GoodW: Good
Rated 1 year ago
-
Eastcliffe
Sunderland · SR6 9PX · Residential care home · 10 beds
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: GoodW: Good
Rated 2 years ago
-
Eastholme
Seaham, County Durham · SR7 7BQ · Residential care home · 5 beds
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: GoodW: Good
Rated 7 years ago
All 15 homes run by Swanton Care & Community (Autism North) Limited →
Care homes nearby
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Beddell House
Durham, County Durham · DH1 2SE · Residential care home · 60 beds0.1 km
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: GoodW: Good
Rated 3 years ago
-
Belmont Grange Nursing and Residential Home
Durham, County Durham · DH1 2QW · Nursing home · 30 beds2.1 km
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: GoodW: Good
Rated 3 years ago
-
Bowburn Care Centre
Durham, County Durham · DH6 5AT · Residential care home · 80 beds3.7 km
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: GoodW: Good
Rated 4 years ago
-
St Margaret's Care Home
Durham, County Durham · DH1 4DS · Nursing home · 60 beds4.0 km
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: GoodW: Good
Rated 6 years ago
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Nevilles Court
Durham, County Durham · DH1 4JX · Residential care home · 4 beds4.6 km
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: GoodW: Good
Rated 5 years ago
-
Melbury Court
Durham, County Durham · DH1 5SE · Nursing home · 88 beds4.7 km
Good
S: GoodE: GoodC: GoodR: GoodW: Good
Rated 6 years ago
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