The Pines Nursing Home

Updated 29 July 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was conducted by one inspector, a specialist advisor and an Expert by Experience. The specialist advisor was a nurse. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

The Pines Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from professionals who work with the service. The provider was asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people using the service, five relatives, the regional manager, a manager from another service who was supporting the service during the inspection, two deputy managers, three nurses, six care workers and an activities co-ordinator. The registered manager was on leave at the time of our inspection. We reviewed a range of records. This included seven people’s care records, four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, training records, policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 29 July 2022

About the service

The Pines Nursing Home is a care home with nursing, providing support for up to 50 people. It is located in Putney, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. At the time of our inspection there were 36 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt safe living at The Pines and staff were available to support them if needed. The provider used a dependency tool to work out safe staffing levels which was reviewed regularly. Risks to people were assessed which helped to keep people safe and they were supported to take their medicines on time. Incidents and accidents were recorded and analysed for trends to try and understand why they were occurring so they could be prevented.

Staff received appropriate training that included a thorough induction and ongoing refresher training. We found that staff supervision was not being carried out regularly, but the provider had an action plan to rectify this. People’s dietary and healthcare needs were met by the provider who worked closely with external healthcare professionals such as dietitians and community nurses to support people.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People and their relatives told us that staff were friendly and caring towards them. Staff cared for people in a way that was respectful and dignified.

People had care plans which included their ongoing support needs, these were reviewed every month and there was system in place to alert staff when any records needed updating. End of life care plans were in place and the provider worked with a local hospice to support people. People had access to wide range of individual and group activities which they said they enjoyed. Complaints were recorded and responded to in a timely manner and the provider carried out investigations when any complaints were received.

There was a system of quality assurance checks in place which helped to ensure the service continued to provide a good level of care. There was an open culture within the service. Staff told us they felt comfortable approaching the managers to raise any issues. The provider engaged with people, staff and worked with external healthcare professionals, taking their feedback on board.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was good (published 20 September 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Pines Nursing Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.