Brighton’s Partridge House Care Home needs improvement, says CQC

Partridge House Nursing and Residential Care Home in Brighton was awarded the rating following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission in December.

The Leybourne Road home scored well in the safe, effective and caring categories, but needs improvement in the responsive and well-run categories.

At his previous inspection, inspectors raised concerns about the quality of care and branded the home as inadequate.

Inspectors said at the time: “People had not always received personal attention and support tailored to their needs and preferences.

“People’s dignity and independence have not always been promoted.

“People have not always been protected from harm, abuse or discrimination.

“People and relatives were not always satisfied with the care. A relative told us, “I’m worried [my relative] be here. I hope things improve.”

At the last inspection, inspectors said they found “improvements have been made” and the provider is no longer in breach of regulations.

However, inspectors questioned the sustainability of maintaining the improvements, saying leadership was “inconsistent”, did not “always support the provision of quality, person-centred care” and that people’s needs were “not always met”.

“We have seen that the necessary improvements have been made since the last inspection in terms of the deployment of staff, the design and adaptation of the premises, treating people with dignity and respect, providing meaningful activities and person-centred care and culture and staff morals,” they said.

“However, despite the improvements noted, this inspection did not allow us to determine whether the current service delivery can be sustained over the long term.

“This is because the service has recently endured a significant and prolonged period of non-compliance and has a mixed record of delivering good outcomes for people.

“People told us they felt safe and were receiving care that met their needs.

“A relative told us that something has really gone wrong in this house, but things are definitely going in the right direction now.”

“One staffer added: ‘The home is so much better now. A lot of work had been put into it by all of us and the managers. The residents are well looked after and I enjoy working here.”