Meet Dan James: Leading Walton Grove into a new era of complex care

Meet Dan James, the Home Manager of Walton Grove, Exemplar Health Care’s newest specialist care home in Oldham.

As Walton Grove care home opens its doors, we met Dan James, an award-winning Mental Health Nurse, and experienced leader in complex care.

He spoke about his vision for the home and what professionals across health and social care can expect.

I qualified with a BSc in Mental Health Nursing from Teeside University, and early in my career I developed a real passion for working in high-acuity and specialist environments.

I’ve managed forensic services, acute mental health wards, and worked at Stockton Hall, a medium secure unit with nine diverse service lines.

I also spent time in Dubai helping establish a substance misuse service, navigating political and cultural challenges while introducing restraint-reduction practices.

These experiences built my resilience, honed my leadership style, and helped me understand how to create safe, person-centred environments under pressure.

In 2015, I was part of a nationally recognized ‘Team of the Year’, awarded by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, something I’m incredibly proud of.

But professionally, what really sets me apart is my common-sense, human-centred approach.

Complex care is about balancing many needs - residents, staff, families, commissioners. Whilst creating an environment where everything dovetails.

I focus on understanding the human factors behind behaviour, making sure care feels fair, consistent, and safe for everyone.

The opportunity to commission a new service was a huge draw.

There’s a lot of substandard care out there. Walton Grove gives me the platform to embed strong values from day one and build something that stands out in Oldham.

What sets Exemplar Health Care apart is its proactive, adaptable approach.

Residents are genuinely at the centre of decisions, not just in writing but in practice.

We don’t want to be “just another complex care nursing home.

Walton Grove will have its own identity - innovative, forward-thinking, and ambitious for residents.

My goal is to build a therapeutic community where people can flourish, regain skills, and see a pathway forward.

For many, this shouldn’t be the final step in their care journey.

We’ll be integrating with the local community, from developing our multi-faith space with support from the Islamic Centre, to creating opportunities for residents to rebuild everyday life skills - particularly through our apartments.

Our apartments are ideal for residents who are ready for a more independent environment with the support of nurse-led care or those who need a safe space for assessment before moving to the next stage of their care pathway.

Too many people with complex needs experience multiple failed placements because services aren’t meeting their needs.

At Walton Grove, we’ll be honest about what we can and can’t do, but we’ll always aim to offer more.

A key priority is getting the fundamentals of care right - nutrition, timely medication reviews, physical health monitoring, and personalised daily routines.

Our Chef is trained in IDDSI level 4 and makes marvellous pureed food, so we can provide a varied, fresh diet for everyone.

With our dedicated team, we have the opportunity to offer a genuine parity between physical and mental health support.

The residents will always be at the forefront of what we do.

Over the next six months, my focus is on:

• Building a strong, skilled and engaged team

• Stabilising the service and shaping our culture

• Embedding high-quality clinical practice

• Strengthening community links

• Creating an environment where staff challenge the norm and innovate

Ultimately, Walton Grove will be known as a trusted, skilled, and values-driven home.

A home that meets Oldham’s growing demand for complex mental health, dementia, brain injury, and forensic step-down services.

If you'd like to visit Walton Grove or for a complex care placement in Oldham, please get in touch with our Referrals Team on 01709 565777 or referrals@exemplarhc.com.