Updated 8 August 2014
We inspected the satellite haemodialysis unit at Bexhill Hospital, which is run by Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, on 21 May 2014, as part of our comprehensive inspection of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. At our last inspection of the satellite haemodialysis unit, which took place on 27 June 2013, we had concerns about breaches of the regulations in the following areas:
- Regulation 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 – safeguarding people who use services from abuse.
- Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 – cleanliness and infection control.
- Regulation 22 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 – staffing.
- Regulation 23 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 – supporting workers.
At this inspection, we found the satellite haemodialysis unit had taken action and was compliant with the previous areas of concern.
Our key findings were as follows:
- The unit was well-managed locally and had good links with, and was well supported by, the renal service at the Sussex Kidney Unit in Brighton.
- The cleanliness of the unit was checked every morning to ensure the cleaning standards had been maintained. Any failure in standards was reported to the cleaning manager and there was a system in place for this.
- We observed that patients who attended the unit regularly had built relationships with the staff who worked there and there was good humour and gentle banter between patients and staff.
- Patients spoke in glowing terms about the staff and told us, “Nothing was ever too much trouble.”
Professor Sir Mike Richards
Chief Inspector of Hospitals