Keeping our care homes safe

Here is a list of frequently asked questions to help people who are looking for a care home.

1. Are Sussex Housing & Care’s care homes accepting new residents?

Yes, we are welcoming new residents to our care homes. Please get in touch to register your interest. 

2. Can I have a tour of the care home?

We know that you will want to see our care home for yourself and we can offer an in – home viewing or a virtual tour so that you can get to know us better. Our care home manager or deputy manager will be happy to welcome you and answer any questions that you have.

3. Are family and friends able to visit residents?

We welcome friends and family to visit their loved one and you can enjoy spending time in our communal areas such as lounges, dining areas or day rooms. You are also welcome to visit a resident in their room. Visitors do not need to wear PPE. However, if there is a local need to wear PPE, then we ask that you do wear a mask which we will provide. Please do not visit our homes if you are feeling unwell, have flu like symptoms or a temperature. 

4. How can residents keep in touch with loved ones outside of the care home?

We understand how important it is for residents to keep in touch with friends and family. In addition to being able to visit, we make good use of technology. For example, we have a mobile phone and tablets in each care home for residents to use to chat or video call, and we support residents who are unable to independently use these devices.

We have a private family and friend’s Facebook group for each care home. Here we post photos and videos of daily activities and share updates. Feedback from families about these groups has been very positive and they have enjoyed seeing what residents get up to.

5. How do you monitor who accesses the building?

We have a door entry system at all of our care homes, this means that staff speak to anyone before they enter the building. Visitors should always sign in and residents have an in/out board to use. The doors are opened using a door release code and the nurse call system will alert staff when any other external door has been opened. We encourage our residents to live independently and have access to our lovely gardens, however, we monitor this access to make sure it is appriopriate.

6. How do you safeguard residents?

All of our employees complete a safeguarding training course to make sure our residents, who can be vunerable, are treated with respect and not abused or neglected. We are regulated by the Care Quality Commission and work closely with our local partners. All of our care home employees have manditory training and a DBS check when they start employment with us.

7. What health and safety checks do you complete?

We carry out regular health and safety checks in our care homes to make sure our property is safe, risks are reduced and our equipment is in good working order. 

Fire safety checks include for example:

• Weekly fire alarm testing.
• Monthly checks of; fire extingushers, fire doors, electrical items and cleaning smoke detectors and completing a fire drill.
• Quarterly fire risk assessments and fire risk audits are carried out.
• Every year we have our electircal equipment PAT tested.

Health and safety checks include for example:

• Visual inspections.
• Hoist and sling inspections.
• Hot water temperature testing.
• Internal and external environmental checks.
• Condition of garden furniture assessments.
• Legionella tests.
• Emergency lighting and nurse call system.
• Checking first aid boxes, window restrictors and wheelchairs.