CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Penhellis Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found safe medicines systems, enough staff, suitable risk assessments and effective safeguarding and infection control arrangements.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and reviewed. Staff had relevant training, people received appropriate healthcare support, and food and drink needs were monitored.
- Caring?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused visit.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This key question was not inspected during this focused visit.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found visible management, good communication, effective audits and a positive culture focused on improving care.
What inspectors found, July 2023
Penhellis Nursing Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe care, suitable staffing and approachable management.
This was an unannounced, focused inspection on 25 May 2023. Inspectors spoke with 7 people and 6 staff, observed care, and checked care records, medicines records and management records.
The home was rated Good overall. Inspectors found that people were safe, received effective care and benefited from good management. Medicines, staffing, risk assessments, infection control and healthcare support were all described positively.
The inspection followed concerns that a safeguarding matter had not been notified to the CQC and local authority. Inspectors found no evidence that people were at risk of harm from the information reviewed. The overall rating stayed Good, but Caring and Responsive were not inspected in this visit.
Kind and unhurried support
People appeared relaxed and comfortable. Staff spent time talking with them and were described as gentle and unhurried.
“People looked relaxed, happy and comfortable with staff supporting them.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were ordered, stored, given and recorded safely. Staff had training and competency checks.
“Systems and processes were in place to make sure people received their medicines safely and as prescribed.” from the report
Enough trained staff
Inspectors found sufficient staff to meet people's assessed needs. Recruitment checks and staff training were in place.
“There were sufficient numbers of staff employed and on duty to meet people's assessed needs.” from the report
Visible management
Managers were available, staff felt supported, and audits and communication systems were used to improve care.
“The registered manager had oversight of what was happening in the service and were very visible.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are you checking that the new computerised care planning system gives staff the right information about my relative?
- 02How do you make sure safeguarding concerns are reported to the local authority and the CQC without delay?
- 03What activities and community visits are currently available, including the childminding group visits mentioned in the report?
- 04How do you check that staffing levels remain sufficient when staff are absent or people need support with appointments?
- 05How will you gather and act on feedback about the caring and responsive parts of the service, which were not inspected this time?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe, Effective and Well-led; Caring and Responsive were not inspected and their previous ratings were carried forward. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 July 2023 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, September 2018
Penhellis Nursing Home was rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe care and improvements in medicines and decision-making, but noted some areas to review.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 14 August 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, staff, the manager and a health professional. They reviewed care, medicines, staff records and management information, and observed how staff supported people.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found people were generally safe and comfortable. Staff were kind, respectful and knew people's needs, preferences and life histories.
The home had acted on problems found at the previous inspection in June 2017. Medicines checks were more frequent, records were reviewed after each medicines round, and mental capacity assessments and best-interest decisions were being recorded properly. The previous legal requirements had been met.
Inspectors still identified areas for improvement. These included the small medicines room, the layout of the lounge for wheelchair users, support for people who wanted to attend local community events, dementia-friendly signs, and concerns about the use of CCTV in the medicines room.
Improved medicines safety
Medicines audits were carried out twice a week and medicines records were checked after each round. Temperature checks for the medicines room and fridge were also recorded.
“Medicine administration records [MAR] were being checked at the end of every medicines round.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors observed staff speaking positively with people and responding quickly when they needed help. People said they felt safe and comfortable.
“Throughout the inspection we observed staff providing support with respect and kindness.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans reflected people's current nursing, emotional and social needs. Staff supported people to make choices about food, clothing and how they spent their time.
“Care plans were in place for people and were accurate and up to date to reflect current nursing and care needs.” from the report
Good staff training
Staff had completed recruitment checks, induction and regular training. Training included safeguarding, moving and handling, infection control and care for specific needs.
“People and relatives told us they felt the staff were well trained, competent and knowledgeable.” from the report
Small medicines room
needs fixingThe medicines room was still small and cramped, and staff needed to prop the door open. A fan and temperature checks were in place while planned building work was considered.
“Since the previous inspection the site and size of the medicines room remained unchanged.” from the report
Lounge layout
needs fixingWheelchair users were sometimes placed in a line facing the television, which could limit conversation and choice of seating. Inspectors recommended reviewing the layout.
“We recommend the service reviews the lounge design in order to maximise the seating options for people using the service.” from the report
Limited community access
minorSome people wanted more help to go into the village or attend local events. Inspectors raised this with the manager.
“Some people said they missed being involved in the community” from the report
CCTV and privacy
needs fixingSome staff and residents felt CCTV in the medicines room undermined trust or made them feel devalued. The information about its purpose focused on monitoring staff, and signs outside the room were initially missing.
“The purpose of this information was focused on the monitoring of staff.” from the report
Dementia-friendly signs
minorThere was no signage to help people living with dementia find their way around. Inspectors said this could make the environment harder for some people to navigate.
“There was no signage to support people living with dementia.” from the report
- 01What progress has been made in moving or improving the small medicines room?
- 02How will the lounge be arranged so wheelchair users can choose where to sit and join conversations?
- 03How do you support residents who want to attend church, village events or other activities in the local community?
- 04What signs or other support are available for people living with dementia who may become disorientated?
- 05Why is CCTV used in the medicines room, who can view it, and how are residents' privacy and views protected?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering all five questions and checking whether improvements required after the June 2017 inspection had been made. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 September 2018 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Penhellis Nursing Home
5 rated inspections over 8 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- July 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2018Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2015Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 January 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
10 live-in carers within about two hours of Cornwall
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £980 to £1,200 a week. 8 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“He had been a little anxious before she arrived, but has since stated that he would be very happy for her to care for him again”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.