Hailsham care home wins approval of national care inspectors

Home news

Sep 15, 2016

A national care watchdog has given a care home in Hailsham the seal of approval, with relatives and residents praising the home’s caring team members. 

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report gave Care UK’s Hailsham care home on Battle Road an overall ‘Good’ rating, following an unannounced inspection.

To assess service standards at Bowes House, the CQC’s inspector spoke with team members, residents and their visiting relatives on the day of the inspection. They also reviewed the records and procedures already in place at the care home.

According to the inspector’s report, residents said they were happy and felt their needs were being met. The inspector observed how the residents were supported in a stable and caring environment, where the team promoted an atmosphere which was kind and friendly. 

The report highlighted that residents’ privacy and dignity was respected, and the team had a caring attitude towards people. The inspectors saw the Care UK team smiling and laughing with residents and offering support and noted there was a good rapport between the residents and the team. 

Residents said they felt safe and were treated well. One resident commented: "I feel extremely safe living here. Although it was hard moving in I knew I wasn't safe living by myself. Living here, the team are available at all times and I know I'm safe."

Home manager at Bowes House, Helena Barrow, said: “We strive to create a welcoming home from home at Bowes House and I’m so pleased our efforts have been recognised by the CQC’s inspectors. Everyone here works incredibly hard to support residents with compassionate, person-centred care, and to be rated ‘good’ shows just how committed the team is to making a positive difference to resident’s lives each and every day. 

“I’m extremely proud of our team and I would like to take say thank you for their hard work and dedication, which I know is also greatly appreciated by residents and their families.”

Within Bowes House, there is the Meadow Suite, which has been designed to specifically to meet the needs of people living with dementia. The report highlighted that people living with dementia often make use of past experiences to make sense of the present. The Meadow Suite has been designed so that each wall depicts a different era. One wall is a comic book theme, while another is a film theme with pictures of old films from the 1950s and 1960s. This helps to trigger memories and enhance residents’ past skills, hobbies and occupations.

The report highlighted that dedicated activities coordinators support residents to participate a wide range of activities and outings. One resident said: "The activity coordinator who takes us out on the bus is fantastic, they design trips to see places we have not been before and the trips are very interesting and informative, I really enjoy their outings." 

Guidance produced by Age UK advises on the importance pets bring to older people, Bowes House recognised this and the home has four guinea pigs for residents to pet, hold and take care of. A member of the management team also brings their dog into work every day which residents enjoy. A team member commented: "The dog is amazing with the residents; she seems to know to be gentle around them and also looks out for them.”