The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Hove-based care home Portland Road, run by BHT Sussex, as ‘Outstanding’, following their latest inspection.
This comes just months after the CQC awarded this same top rating to our Sackville Gardens care home. Less than 4% of care homes nationally currently hold the top ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC.
Both Portland Road and Sackville Gardens are part of Archway, a project run by BHT Sussex which provides 24-hour residential care to adults with mental health care and support needs, across three properties in Hove.
In their report, the CQC emphasised how clients at Portland Road are respected and valued as individuals:
Staff worked hard to get to know people, they demonstrated a deep understanding of people, their life histories and individualities. This was reflected in our observations, and people’s care records and risk assessments. One staff member told us, ‘It takes time to get to know people, but we build relationships over time. When someone first moves in, we make a real effort to get to know them and that continues throughout their stay. That’s why the keyworker relationship is great. We get concentrated time to really get to know the individual.
The CQC also noted the positive regard that BHT Sussex is held in by staff, partners and clients:
All those we spoke with including people receiving support expressed their admiration for the organisation as a whole and the ethos which was evident throughout all practice and interactions.
One client of Portland Road cited in the CQC’s report said:
[Staff] just get me, they understand me and respect my views. I feel safe, I’ve got my own key and can come and go, but they always ask if I’m ok.
Rachael Kenny, Director of Mental Health and Support Services at BHT Sussex, said:
We are very pleased that the quality of Portland Road has been recognised by the CQC once again. BHT Sussex is proud that our focus on getting to know the people who use our services and prioritising what matters to them, has led to this rating. Even more importantly it shows that the way we work means our clients have the greatest opportunity to live full and fulfilling lives. It is our hard-working staff and residents who, together, overcome often huge barriers to mental health recovery, that are truly outstanding.
The full report is available to read on the Care Quality Commission’s website.
