Care Quality Commission report: The Sussex Beacon
The Sussex Beacon
Date of assessment: 17th December 2024. Rated 'Good' overall.
The Sussex Beacon is a hospice which provides inpatient care for patients living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The service primarily serves the communities of Sussex but also accepts referrals from outside the area. The service provides both day services and inpatient services. This assessment looked at inpatient services only, as these form the regulated activity. The inpatient unit has 10 ensuite bedrooms.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) completed this assessment because of the length of time since the previous assessment, and because of concerns around safeguarding processes. They assessed this service using their single assessment framework and looked at all key questions and all quality statements.
At the last CQC assessment on 9th November 2021, they rated this service as outstanding. At this assessment, CQC rated this service as good. Following their assessment, this service was made dormant on 20th February 2025 which meant it did not accept any new patients to the inpatient unit. The service came out of dormancy on 16th January 2026, however, a new statement of purpose was in place and the service was not accepting inpatient admissions.
CQC visited the inpatient unit and spoke with three people using the service, reviewed patient records and policies. They spoke with seven members of staff, including leaders, nurses and other healthcare professionals. They used data provided by the service following the on-site visit.
Staff, managers, and leaders across the service shared a commitment to delivering care that is safe, sensitive, and compassionate, for patients and their families.
People's experience of the service
Patients and their families or carers consistently praised staff for treating them with warmth and kindness and providing effective care and treatment.
People using the service, and those close to them, told CQC that they felt safe and involved in decisions about their care and treatment. Many described staff as “absolutely amazing” and expressed appreciation for their quick responses and compassionate approach.
Feedback from people was overwhelmingly positive. People said they felt listened to and that their wishes were always respected.