CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Ponsandane
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, October 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control, safe visiting arrangements and clean premises.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 13 October 2020. It looked at infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors were assured that the home managed visitors, social distancing, shielding, personal protective equipment, testing and admissions safely. They also found effective cleaning routines and an up-to-date infection control policy.
The home supported people to keep in touch with family and friends and provided social activities, including minibus trips. The inspection found no concerns about the home's response to the pandemic or general standards of quality and safety.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the visit did not provide a full overall rating or ratings for all five areas of care.
Safe visiting
The home continued to allow visits while taking steps to reduce infection risks. Staff also helped people stay in contact with family and friends by phone and online.
“The service continued to enable people to have visitors, and to facilitate this in a way which ensured this was done in a safe way.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home very clean, with cleaning routines intended to reduce risks and keep people safe.
“The service was very clean, and had effective cleaning routines to ensure risks were minimised and people were kept safe.” from the report
Infection control training
Staff had suitable training and guidance about infection control and how to respond to the pandemic.
“Staff had received suitable training and guidance regarding infection control, and how to respond to the Covid 19 pandemic.” from the report
Safe admissions
The home had a strong admissions process to help people move in and settle safely.
“Where people came to live at the service, there was a robust admissions policy to ensure people moved in and settled safely.” from the report
Activities and contact
The home provided social activities and arranged some trips. This helped people stay occupied and maintain contact with others.
“The service was providing a range of social activities for people to help to keep them entertained and occupied.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visits arranged now, and what infection control steps are currently used?
- 02How do you manage testing, protective equipment and social distancing for people living here and staff?
- 03What arrangements are in place if there is an infection outbreak?
- 04How do you help residents keep in touch with family and friends when they cannot meet in person?
- 05What activities and outings are currently available to residents?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not rate the other care areas. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 October 2020 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, February 2018
Ponsandane rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some records and environment improvements still needed.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 6 February 2018. Inspectors spoke with six people, two visitors and 18 staff. They also checked care plans, medicines records, staff files, rotas, training records and other service records.
Inspectors found a relaxed and friendly home. People said they felt safe and were happy with their care. Staff treated people respectfully, knew their needs and responded promptly to requests for help. Medicines were stored and given safely, and care plans were personalised and regularly reviewed.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. This means the inspectors found the service met the expected standard overall. The previous inspection was also Good, and this inspection found no serious risks or concerns.
Kind, respectful care
Inspectors saw staff spending time with people, checking their comfort and supporting them patiently. People's privacy and personal choices were respected.
“We saw many examples of positive interactions between staff and people during the day.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough suitably skilled staff on duty. Medicines were stored, administered and recorded safely, with checks in place.
“Medicine Administration Records (MARS) had been completed appropriately and these were neat and easy to decipher.” from the report
Personalised care planning
Care plans described people's needs, wishes and communication methods. Staff reviewed them regularly and updated them when needs changed.
“Care plans were well organised and contained personalised information about individual's needs and wishes.” from the report
Activities and social opportunities
The home had two full-time activity coordinators offering group and individual activities, including entertainment, gentle exercise and trips.
“Two full time activity coordinators were employed who arranged regular activities for people.” from the report
Quality oversight
The management team used audits covering areas such as medicines, falls, care planning and nutrition. Actions were taken when audits identified problems.
“There was a robust system in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided.” from the report
Supervision records
needs fixingStaff said they received regular supervision and appraisals, but the home did not have enough written evidence. Inspectors recommended improving how these sessions were organised and recorded.
“There was a lack of documentation to evidence this had occurred.” from the report
Clutter and limited signage
minorSome corridors contained furniture, equipment and clinical items. There was also limited signage for people who might need help finding their way around.
“Some corridors were cluttered with pieces of furniture, equipment, clinical bins and bedding.” from the report
Limited transport for trips
minorThe activities programme included trips out, but not everyone who wanted to go could take part because transport was limited. Management was exploring ways to address this.
“the numbers of people who could take part in trips out were limited due to a lack of transport.” from the report
- 01How do you now record staff supervision and appraisals, and can I see evidence that these are taking place?
- 02What has been done to reduce corridor clutter while keeping equipment available for staff?
- 03Has more transport been arranged so that people who want to join trips out can do so?
- 04Has the manager's application to become registered been completed?
- 05What improvements have been made to signage for people who may need help finding their way around?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 February 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 Ponsandane
4 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- October 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2015Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvement
- March 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 December 2010.
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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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.
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