CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at The Pines
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, October 2017
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, personalised care, but two medicine records were not signed or witnessed.
This was an unannounced inspection on 31 August 2017. The inspector spent time with two residents, observed care, looked around the home and reviewed care, staff and management records. They also spoke with staff, managers, relatives and health and social care professionals.
The home supported three people with complex needs. Inspectors found people were relaxed, involved in activities they chose and appeared happy and well supported. Care was kind and respectful. Staff understood people's needs, supported their independence and responded to changes in their health.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. It was also rated Good at the previous inspection in August 2015, so the report says it remained Good.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff treating people with patience, compassion and respect. People appeared relaxed and comfortable with staff.
“People were treated with kindness, compassion and respect.” from the report
Personalised support
Support plans were detailed, current and written around each person. Staff understood people's histories, choices and preferred ways of communicating.
“People who lived at The Pines received care, treatment and support that was personalised, putting them at the centre of identifying their needs, choices and preferences.” from the report
Training and healthcare
Staff received a thorough induction, ongoing training and supervision. People had access to GP reviews, dental checks and specialist healthcare when needed.
“Staff were well supported through a system of induction and training.” from the report
Activities and independence
People were supported to choose activities, use the community and develop meaningful work and social opportunities.
“We found the service was flexible and responsive to people's individual needs and preferences and was consistently finding creative ways to enable people to live as full a life as possible.” from the report
Open management
Inspectors found clear leadership, supportive teamwork and regular checks on quality. People, relatives and professionals were asked for their views.
“The service had comprehensive quality assurance processes which were regularly undertaken to ensure the service was aware of people's views of the service and could monitor auditing processes at the service.” from the report
Unsigned medicine entries
seriousTwo handwritten medicine entries had not been signed by a staff member or witnessed by a second staff member. Inspectors said this created a potential risk of errors and people might not receive medicines safely.
“Two handwritten entries had not been signed by a member of staff or witnessed by a second member of staff.” from the report
- 01What action was taken after the two handwritten medicine entries were found without signatures or a second witness?
- 02How are medicine administration records checked now, and how often are these checks reviewed?
- 03What training and supervision do new staff receive before working independently with residents?
- 04How are residents and relatives involved in reviewing support plans and changes to care?
- 05What has changed at the home since this inspection in August 2017?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including observations, records and feedback from residents, relatives, staff and professionals. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 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 The Pines
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2017Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 September 2014.
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.
“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.