We spoke with the manager of the unit, four members of staff, the holiday co-ordinator, infection control link nurse and three people who were using the service. We looked at information from patient feedback mechanisms like the patient experience survey that is undertaken by the trust renal governance team.

We found that people’s needs were assessed, that each person had an individual plan identifying their haemodialysis care needs and that care was delivered in line with their plan. People’s choices and diversity were respected and their health was consistently and appropriately monitored and recorded by a range of healthcare professionals involved in their care.

People were happy with the service provided. One said, “They’re very kind and helpful, this is such a friendly unit and the staff are wonderful.”

We found that not all government guidance in relation to infection control had been followed. We also found that the organisation did not have robust mechanisms in place for monitoring the standards of cleaning.

Procedures were in place for dealing with safeguarding concerns and people we spoke with told us they felt safe and knew who to talk to if they had any concerns. However, not all staff had undertaken training in safeguarding vulnerable adults.

Although the unit was undergoing redecoration we found it to be safe, accessible, well maintained and fit for purpose.

We found that people were being cared for by competent staff but staffing levels did not allow appropriate time for management tasks to be fulfilled or for staff to attend specialist training to maintain their skills. We found that not all staff were being supported to receive supervision or appraisal.

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