Middleton Grove Nursing Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

• Safe arrangements were in place for visitors. This included confirmation of a negative lateral flow test, temperature checks, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Visiting professionals showed evidence of vaccination status or exemption.

• There were adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the home. PPE stations were located at the entrance to the home and outside of people’s bedrooms. Staff were seen appropriately using PPE.

• There were arrangements to admit people safely to the home. This included testing and isolation in line with guidance.

• People were supported to understand and comply with visiting and social restrictions in line with all best practice guidance and this was communicated and updated as needed.

• The provider followed relevant COVID-19 testing guidance. This included staff testing requirements as well guidance on testing for people using the service and visitors.

• Maintaining the mental health of people and staff was a priority with proactive support from the service to encourage peoples well-being. This included supported activities within the home and support to maintain contact with family and friends. There were a number of areas within the home where visits were facilitated, including outside spaces and a dedicated visiting room. People were supported to maintain contact with relatives using virtual methods during a recent outbreak.

• There were clear cleaning schedules in place which included the frequency of cleaning high touch areas. Records showed compliance with the cleaning schedule. This included deep cleaning following an outbreak.

• The home had an up to date infection control policy and carried out regular infection control audits. There was a comprehensive approach to risk management and changes included the implementation of daily huddles where all aspects of Covid-19 and other risks were discussed. The registered manager maintained a log of learning and shared this with other homes.

• Staff were trained and knew how to immediately instigate full infection control measures to care for a person who developed symptoms, who tests positive or who has been exposed to the virus to avoid the virus spreading to other people and staff. Infection control and PPE training was periodically repeated during the pandemic with support from the local health protection team.

Middleton Grove Nursing Home is a care home registered to provide nursing and residential care and accommodation for 54 people with various health conditions, including dementia and diabetes. There were 53 people living at the service on the day of our inspection. Middleton Grove Nursing Home is a large converted, listed property located in Hove, East Sussex.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

People’s experience of using this service:

People were happy with the care they received, felt relaxed with staff and told us they were treated with kindness. They said they felt safe, were well supported and there were sufficient staff to care for them. Our own observations supported this and we saw friendly relationships had developed between people and staff. A relative told us, “The service is wonderful. It’s comfortable and clean and my [relative] is very happy”.

People enjoyed an independent lifestyle and told us their needs were met. They enjoyed the food, drink and activities that took place daily. One person told us, “The activities are good, most of us are joining in”. A visitor said, “The food looks good and my [relative] is maintaining her weight”. People felt the service was homely and welcoming to them and their visitors. A visitor told us, “We are always made to feel welcome and they offer us drinks when we arrive”.

People told us they thought the service was well managed and they enjoyed living there. A visitor told us, “I have no concerns in the way the home is run, if I did, I’d take my [relative] out of here. She’s happy here and the staff make sure they spend time with her”.

Staff had received essential training and it was clear from observing the care delivered and the feedback people and staff gave us, that they knew the best way to care for people in line with their needs and preferences. A member of staff told us, “We are all well trained”.

The provider had systems of quality assurance to measure and monitor the standard of the service and drive improvement. These systems also supported people to stay safe by assessing and mitigating risks, ensuring that people were cared for in a person centred way and that the provider learned from any mistakes. Our own observations and the feedback we received supported this. People received high quality care that met their needs and improved their wellbeing from dedicated and enthusiastic staff. A member of staff told us, “We don’t just get to know the resident’s needs, we get to know them as a person as well. I know if my mother ever needed a care home, I would be happy for her to come here, we’re very caring”.

Rating at last inspection: This was the first inspection of the service.

Why we inspected: This service was registered by CQC on 5 June 2018. Middleton Grove Nursing Home has not been previously been inspected under this registration.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the intelligence we receive about this home and plan to inspect in line with our re-inspection schedule for those services rated Good.