CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Pinelodge Care Home
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, March 2022
Pinelodge Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 infection controls during an outbreak.
Inspectors made an unannounced, targeted visit on 22 February 2022. They looked mainly at infection prevention, visiting arrangements and the effect of COVID-19 staffing pressures.
They were assured that visitors, people living in the home and staff were protected through screening, PPE, testing, zoning and cleaning measures. Staff were generally allocated to one unit, and each person had a COVID-19 management care plan.
There was a COVID-19 outbreak when inspectors visited. Face-to-face visits were restricted to essential care givers and people at the end of their lives, with screened visits available in an adapted room. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
Infection controls
Visitors were screened and given protective equipment. Inspectors found that infection prevention arrangements were being followed.
“Visitors were provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) and had their temperature checked by staff on arrival.” from the report
Separate units
The home used zoning and allocated staff to individual units where possible. Separate facilities helped keep the units self-contained.
“Isolation, cohorting and zoning had been successfully implemented.” from the report
Risk planning
People had individual COVID-19 plans explaining how staff should support them if they tested positive.
“Each person had a 'Covid-19 Management Care Plan' that provided clear guidance for staff as to how each person should be supported, if they were to test positive for COVID-19.” from the report
Management checks
Managers carried out regular checks of the building, staff practice and infection prevention arrangements.
“Regular checks of the environment and staff practice were completed by management, alongside infection prevention and control audits.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and are face-to-face visits still restricted?
- 02How would you support a resident if they tested positive for COVID-19?
- 03How do you manage staffing pressures linked to COVID-19, and what effect do they have on residents?
- 04Are staff still allocated to one unit wherever possible?
- 05What infection control checks and audits have been completed since this inspection?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 March 2022 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, March 2021
Pinelodge Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good COVID-19 arrangements but several infection-control practices needed improvement.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection about infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic. Inspectors looked at how the home admitted people, managed testing, used protective equipment, supported isolation and controlled visitors and social distancing.
Inspectors were assured about safe admissions, testing and the infection-control policy. Staff had training in infection control and protective equipment, and people were helped to keep in touch with family online.
Inspectors were only somewhat assured about several areas. Some parts of the building needed refurbishment, staff did not take inspectors' temperatures on arrival, people were seated less than a metre apart, and a person isolating with COVID-19 had an open bedroom door without a supporting risk assessment.
The service was inspected but not rated. Only the safe question was inspected, and it was also recorded as inspected but not rated.
Keeping families connected
People were supported to stay in touch with friends and family virtually.
“People were supported to keep in touch with friends and family virtually.” from the report
COVID-19 planning
The provider had policies, procedures and risk assessments for managing the service during COVID-19.
“The provider had developed policies, procedures and risks assessments for managing the service in relation to COVID-19.” from the report
Testing and isolation
People and staff took part in routine testing. People with positive results were supported to isolate in their bedrooms for 14 days.
“People and staff had engaged with the routine testing scheme.” from the report
Staff training
Staff had training and competency checks covering protective equipment, infection control and COVID-19.
“Staff had received training on donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE), infection control and COVID-19.” from the report
Leadership
Staff described the registered manager as supportive and said they gave clear leadership during difficult times.
“Staff told us that the registered manager had been very supportive and gave clear leadership during difficult times.” from the report
Areas needing refurbishment
needs fixingSome areas of the home needed refurbishment to support better infection prevention and control.
“The home is modern and purpose built however, some areas needed refurbishment to support better infection prevention and control.” from the report
Visitor temperature checks
needs fixingStaff did not take inspectors' temperatures when they arrived at the home.
“Staff did not take our temperature when we arrived at the service.” from the report
Social distancing
needs fixingPeople were seated within one metre of each other in a communal lounge, so inspectors were only somewhat assured that distancing rules were being followed.
“People were seated in a large spacious communal lounge area within a metre of each other.” from the report
Isolation arrangements
needs fixingA person who had tested positive was isolating with their bedroom door wide open. There was no risk assessment explaining or supporting this arrangement.
“A person isolating in their room having tested positive for the virus, had their bedroom door wide open. There was no risk assessment to support this.” from the report
- 01What refurbishment has been completed in the areas inspectors said needed improvement for infection prevention and control?
- 02How do you now check visitors for signs of infection when they arrive?
- 03How do you ensure people remain at least one metre apart in communal areas?
- 04What risk assessment is used when someone with COVID-19 is isolating with their bedroom door open?
- 05What changes have been made to the safe use and disposal of protective equipment?
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and the Safe question only; the other four questions were not assessed and no ratings were given. This explanation was written from the published report of 9 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.
Every inspection of Pinelodge Care Home
5 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Inadequate to Requires improvement.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- May 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- October 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- April 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2015Goodup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: InadequateCaring: InadequateResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- October 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 6 May 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
At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Hertfordshire
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 £1,300 a week. 82 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“She handled the new situation in front of her with such professionalism and I felt I could trust her 100%.”
“She was v competent and confident and we felt our mum was safe in her care. She supported us through a difficult time.”
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.