This inspection took place on 6 December 2016 and was unannounced.

Victoria Highgrove is a nursing home registered for up to 21 people, primarily older people. Short periods of care and support is provided where people have been in hospital, or to prevent a hospital admission, and who are in need of a short period of rehabilitation before returning home. Help provided at Victoria Highgrove includes assistance with personal care, mobility, kitchen assessments, including meal and hot drink preparation, mobility practice, home and/or access visits to assess people's home environment.

The short-term rehabilitation is a joint partnership between Brighton and Hove City Council and the Sussex Community NHS Trust who work together to provide co-ordinated care. Consultants for elderly care, GPs and a community mental health nurse visit the service. People receive support from a social work team, social care staff, medical and nursing staff, physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff. These specialists had worked with people to improve their independence and mobility prior to returning home. There are a high level of admissions and discharges due to the short-term nature of the service, and there are no long term placements. There were 20 people living in the service on the day of our inspection.

There was a registered manager for the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

A dedicated maintenance worker was responsible for the general maintenance, alongside external contactors who were used for service checks and repairs. However, areas of the environment were in need of redecoration. One visitor commented,” I feel however that on top of the excellent service that this home offers, the management should pay attention to some minor things in the home and improve on these. For example, (pointing at the window curtain) the window curtain there. It is torn and it has been like that for quite a while”. We discussed this with the registered manager who acknowledged this was an area in need of improvement. They told us service was going through a significant period of review, where local stakeholders were looking at the service provision, what was needed and how the service would best be provided in the future. Due to this the refurbishment plan had been deferred until 2017 to address this and improve the physical environment for people.

People told us they felt safe. One person told us, “I have every confidence in all the people here. They are doing a fantastic job looking after me. I depend on them totally as I cannot move by myself. That means getting up from bed, washing and getting dressed up” Another person told us,” They are really good and helpful people. I have every confidence in them and I am well supported in this home. I couldn't ask for more.” Detailed risks assessments had been completed and reviewed. Accidents and incidents had been recorded and appropriate action had been taken and recorded by the registered manager.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities from the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS.) Where people lacked capacity to make decisions about their care and treatment this had been considered in their best interests.

People and their visitors told us staff were kind and caring. One person told us,” This place has got excellent staff. They are absolutely fantastic in everything that they do. I have received nothing but kindness since I have been here. I really can’t fault them on anything. At first I really didn't fancy the idea of coming here from hospital but after spending here a few days, I come to like it here so much. I will be more than happy to recommend this