The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Forest Lodge

Horney Common, Nutley, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3EA (01825) 712514

Provided and run by:
Sussex Health Care

All Inspections

15 May 2013

During a routine inspection

People who used the service had complex needs and were not all able to tell us about their life at the home. We used a number of different methods to help us understand their experiences. These included looking at records, talking to staff and observing care practices. We also received feedback from relatives who were visiting that day.

People who lived at Forest Lodge made positive comments about the home. Comments included "I am quite satisfied", "Everybody is happy" and "I think it's excellent". Visiting relatives told us it was "Welcoming" and had a "Family oriented feeling".

We found that people received care and support that met their needs. Staff were knowledgeable about the needs of individuals. Care plans were up to date and clearly written.

The provider responded appropriately to any allegation or possibility of abuse. Staff were aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and people at the home told us they felt safe.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet the needs of people who lived the home. However some staff told us that they would benefit from more staff to give people more individual attention. We found that staff received appropriate training and support to carry out their roles effectively.

We saw that complaints were investigated appropriately and that people had confidence in the staff and manager to deal with any concerns. However, we found that information about how to complain was not easily visible.

31 August 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Because the people using the service had complex needs they were not all able to tell us their experiences. We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people using the service. These included looking at records and talking to the manager and staff.

This inspection was a follow up to our visits on 12 April 2012 when we found concerns in relation to staffing levels and 28 September 2011 where we found concerns relating to the systems for handling complaints. We found the home was still finding it difficult to maintain a sufficient level of staffing but that a recruitment drive was currently taking place. The system for handling complaints did not show a clear audit of how they were investigated and responded to.

A new manager has recently started at the home. Staff told us that morale has improved since he started in post.

12 April 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people using the service. This was because the people using the service had complex needs which meant they were not able to tell us their experiences.

We spoke with two relatives who told us they were very happy with the care their relative received and they felt that they were kept well informed by the home. We spoke with five people who lived at the home who were able to give a view about their experience of care. Three people commented about liking the tea and biscuits provided, another person said they found staff 'good' and that they were happy living in the home. A fifth person told us that staff always consulted with them about their daily routine.

19 August 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

People in the home had varying degrees of capacity; few were able to comment specifically about care delivery at the home.

One person told us that they liked living at the home, but, wanted staff to close their bedroom door to afford them more privacy.

19 August 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

A number of people we spoke with said that the staff were good and caring. They said that they can join in as many activities as they want. One person said that they 'sometimes go to the lounge but it is not always pleasant there and very noisy'.

20 June 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

There were mixed views from the people we spoke with who were able to share their views. Three people we spoke with said they liked living at Forest lodge, they commented that they found staff 'fairly kind', 'attentive' and 'everyone is nice to me'. They said they found the food to be 'good', 'plenty of food', 'edible'. However, one person said the home did not support their dietary choice of vegetarianism.

One person made it clear that they very much disliked living at the home and were hoping to move shortly. Two people said their complaints were not listened to or acted upon by the staff supporting them.