CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Penns Mount Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection control and Covid-19 safety measures were in place.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 February 2021. It looked at how the home prevented and controlled infections during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that visitors, people living in the home and staff were protected through testing, isolation, PPE, hand hygiene, social distancing and cleaning. The home also had arrangements for safe visiting and keeping relatives in touch.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four areas of care.
Safe visiting
Visitors used a separate area for PPE, handwashing and temperature checks. A visiting pod allowed relatives and friends to meet people privately and at a safe distance.
“There was visitor's 'pod' in the grounds which enables relatives and friends to see people in warmth and privacy” from the report
Family contact
The home used video calls, telephone calls, emails and social media to help people stay in touch with relatives and friends.
“The home has also used a range of methods to keep family and friends involved including video calls, telephone calls, e-mails and social media.” from the report
PPE and testing
Inspectors found good supplies of PPE, appropriate use by staff, regular testing and arrangements to isolate people or staff with symptoms or positive results.
“Safe procedures have been followed by staff to minimise the risk of transmitting Covid-19.” from the report
Clean environment
The home had cleaning schedules, frequent cleaning of high-touch points, regular deep cleaning and good ventilation.
“The home was clean and hygienic. Detailed cleaning schedules were in place for all areas of the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently asked to use PPE, hand hygiene, testing and temperature checks?
- 02How are people and staff tested, and what happens if someone has symptoms or tests positive?
- 03How often are high-touch areas cleaned and are the cleaning schedules still being used?
- 04How can relatives keep in touch if an in-person visit is not possible?
- 05What are the home's current ratings for effective, caring, responsive and well-led care?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the service was inspected but not rated and the other care areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 13 March 2021 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, October 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring and responsive support, and said the earlier issue about locked doors had been addressed.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 9 October 2017. One inspector and one Expert by Experience spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff, a health professional and the manager. They also checked care records, medicines, staffing, training, food, activities and the building.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found suitable staffing, safe medicines practice, good risk assessments, trained staff, kind care, personalised care plans and activities based on people's interests.
At the previous inspection, the Effective rating was Requires Improvement because locked doors may have restricted movement. This time, people could use the lift or the displayed code to move between floors, and applications had been made for local authority authorisations where restrictions might still apply.
Safe staffing and risk support
Inspectors found enough staff to provide care without people being rushed. Risks such as falls and choking were assessed and guidance was sought when needed.
“Sufficient staff were on duty to ensure that appropriate care was given in a planned and timely way.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff knew people's preferences and personalities. They supported privacy, dignity and reassurance, including during end-of-life care.
“Staff were attentive, kind and caring. A member of staff told us they felt it was really important to reassure people.” from the report
Personalised care planning
Care plans covered people's routines, health needs, personal care and preferences. Relatives could be involved and, with consent, could access care information online.
“Care plans were comprehensive and covered all areas of people's care needs.” from the report
Good management checks
The manager and provider were described as approachable. Regular audits, meetings and feedback checks were used to monitor the home.
“The provider completed detailed monthly reports showing the areas they had looked at during their visit.” from the report
Authorisations for possible restrictions
minorInspectors found people could move between floors using the lift or a displayed code. However, applications had been submitted for legal authorisations where some people might still be restricted, so families should ask about the position for their relative.
“Applications had been submitted to the local authority for those people who may have been restricted.” from the report
- 01If my relative may be restricted for safety reasons, what authorisation is in place and how is their freedom of movement reviewed?
- 02How would you meet my relative's needs if they require nursing care, given that nursing care is not provided?
- 03How will you involve me or my relative in reviewing the care plan and daily records?
- 04What activities and one-to-one support would be available if my relative did not want to join group activities?
- 05How quickly are call bells usually answered, and what staffing levels are planned for busy times?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five ratings; the previous Requires Improvement rating for Effective had changed to Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 October 2017 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 Penns Mount Residential Care Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Penns Mount Residential Care Home →
- October 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Penns Mount Residential Care Home →
- June 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 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.
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17 live-in carers within about an hour of Devon
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 £1,020 to £1,270 a week. 15 can care for a couple. 13 years' experience on average.
“She is such a warm and gentle person while being professional and competent at the same time.”
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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.