We carried out a review of the data available to us about Pilling Nursing Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Pilling Nursing Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Pilling Nursing Home is a care home providing personal and/or nursing care for up to 32 people with a range of physical and mental health needs. At the time of the inspection there were 25 people living in the home.
The care home accommodates people across two floors, each of which has separate adapted facilities.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The provider had established systems to prevent visitors from spreading and catching infections. They had followed guidance on supporting safe visiting including a comprehensive questionnaire to ensure they were safe to visit. Visitors were also screened for symptoms and their contact details were recorded to support the NHS Test and Trace service.
In the event of an outbreak of COVID-19, people living in the home could shield from people who may be infected and there were appropriate isolation processes in place to mitigate the risk of transmission of disease.
Social media platforms were used to facilitate contact between people and their relatives where physical visiting was not possible. Where appropriate, people were supported by staff to use this technology and this included the use of handheld devices. People were allowed to visit their loved ones consistent with current guidance.
The provider had established some safe admission procedures for staff to follow. This included requiring new people to have a negative COVID-19 test before moving into the home, a further test during residency and to self-isolate in their bedrooms.
During our visit we observed staff using Personal Protective Equipment, (PPE) safely. The provider and registered manager had ensured sufficient stocks of appropriate PPE were available to protect people.
People living in the home and the staff were tested regularly for COVID-19. The provider had also supported staff and people to receive COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
The home was clean and hygienic. Comprehensive cleaning schedules were in place and there were designated staff who performed these duties.
The provider had safe infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
The provider could adapt the layout of the building to support safe cohorting in the event of an outbreak.
Pilling Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 32 people. At the time of the inspection, 24 people were living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe and told us staff were available when they needed them. Before the inspection, we had received detail of concerns about a person leaving the home when they were subject to supervision and some fire safety matters. These were raised with the registered manager at the time. During the inspection, we noted the concerns had been completely addressed.
Staff had completed safeguarding training and knew how to protect people from the risk of abuse and harm. The registered manager recruited staff safely. People’s medicines were administered and managed safely. Staff followed safe infection prevention and control practices and adhered to Government guidance on COVID-19. The safety of the home environment and essential equipment was checked regularly.
The registered manager and staff were clear about their responsibilities. They prioritised providing people with good quality care and support which met their needs. The service worked in partnership with a number of community and specialist agencies to ensure people received any support they needed. People’s views about the service were sought and listened to. People, relatives and staff felt the service was well managed. The registered manager and provider completed regular checks to ensure appropriate standards of quality and safety were being maintained.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was Good (published 31 May 2018).
Why we inspected
We received details of some safety concerns before the inspection. Although these matters had been raised with the registered manager, a decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only. During inspection, no areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. Therefore, we did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.
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 effectively respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information, we may inspect sooner.
This is the first inspection at Pilling nursing home following the new provider’s registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 06 April 2017.
At this inspection we found the service was rated Good.
Pilling nursing home is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Pilling nursing home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 30 people who require nursing or personal care. The home specialises in dementia care. Accommodation within the home is situated on two floors with a passenger lift providing access to the upper floor. The home provides communal areas with two lounges and two dining rooms available. Car parking spaces are available to the front of the building and there is a garden at the rear of the property. At the time of our inspection visit there were 28 people who lived at the home.
There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Although a number of people had limited verbal communication and were unable to converse with us, we were able to speak with three people who lived at the home and three people visiting their relatives. People told us they were happy and well cared for and felt safe living at the home. One person visiting the home said, “The staff are lovely and caring people. I have no worries about [relative]. I know they are safe.”
Procedures were in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices.
Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. These had been kept under review and were relevant to the care provided.
Staff had been recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported. They had skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs.
The service had sufficient staffing levels in place to provide support people required. We saw requests for assistance were responded to in a timely manner.
Medication procedures observed protected people from unsafe management of their medicines. People received their medicines as prescribed and when needed and appropriate records had been completed.
We saw there was an emphasis on promoting dignity, respect and independence for people who lived at the home. People told us staff treated them as individuals and delivered person centred care.
We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and hygienic and a safe place to live. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required.
The design of the building and facilities provided were appropriate for the care and support provided.
The service had safe infection control procedures in place. People visiting the home told us they were happy with the standard of hygiene.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People’s care and support had been planned with them or a family member. They told us they had been consulted and listened to about how their care would be delivered.
Care plans were organised and had identified care and support people required. We found they were informative about the care people had received.
People told us they were happy with the variety and choice of meals available to them. Meal times were relaxed and well managed. We saw regular snacks and drinks were provided between meals to ensure people received adequate nutrition and hydration.
People were supported to have access to healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs had been met.
People told us staff were caring towards them. Staff we spoke with understood the importance of high standards of care to give people meaningful lives.
The service had information with regards to support from an external advocate should this be required by people they supported.
People told us staff who supported them treated them with respect and dignity.
We saw people who lived at the home enjoyed a variety of activities which were organised for their entertainment.
The service used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits, resident meetings and satisfaction surveys to seek their views about the service provided.
Further information is in the detailed findings below