Sussex Grange Residential Care Home

Sussex Grange Residential Care Home is a 'care home.' People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The home is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to 20 older people and there were 17 people living at the home at the time of the inspection. Sussex Grange Care Home is an older style building which has been adapted to a care home. There is a passenger lift so people can access the first floor. All bedrooms are single and have an en-suite toilet. There is a lounge and separate dining room as well as gardens and outdoor space for people to sit.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

We made a requirement at the last inspection regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) as the provider and registered manager were not following the correct procedures when people did not have capacity to consent to their care and treatment. The provider sent us an action plan to say how this was being addressed. At this inspection we found the provider, registered manager and staff had a good awareness of the MCA. Where it was believed people might not have capacity, this was now appropriately assessed and 'best interests' decision making procedures implemented when needed. The provider had met this regulation.

People and their relatives spoke highly of the service. For example, one person told us, "As a home, it's excellent. The food's excellent , the care's excellent. We are very well looked after here. I say, 'The Queen couldn't be treated better.'"

People said they felt safe. Staff were trained in safeguarding procedures and had a good awareness of the importance of protecting people. Risks to people were assessed and action taken to mitigate these.

Medicines were safely managed. Sufficient numbers of staff were provided and checks were made on the suitability of new staff to work in a care setting. The service was clean and hygienic. Reviews of care and incidents took place.

Care staff were supported well and had access to a range of training courses including nationally recognised qualifications in care.

People's nutritional needs were assessed. There was a choice of food and specialist diets were catered for.

People said they liked the food.

The premises were safe, clean and hygienic and suitable for older people.

Staff treated people with kindness and promoted people's privacy and dignity. Staff demonstrated they had a value base of treating people equally irrespective of their age or disability. Staff knew the importance of providing care and support to people which was individualised and person centred.

People received responsive care to meet their individual needs and preferences. People's needs were assessed and people were involved in decisions about their care. There was a range of activities for people which they enjoyed as well as access to community facilities.

There was an effective complaints procedure and people and their relatives said they felt able to raise any concerns of issues which were responded to.

The provider had links with local services for people who were at the end of their life. People's preferences for end of life care were recorded.

The service was well-led with an open culture. There was an emphasis on involving people and relatives in the home and for seeking their views. Staff were supported to develop their skills and knowledge and promoted person centred care. The provider and staff worked well with other agencies to improve the standard of care people received and to meet their changing needs. There was a system of checks and audits regarding the safety and quality of the service provided.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found