Pinetum

Updated 27 May 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 30 April 2021 and was announced.

Updated 27 May 2021

About the service:

Pinetum is registered to provide accommodation for up to 45 people who require nursing or personal care. The service is located on the Countess of Chester Health Park on the outskirts of Chester city centre and adjacent to the local hospital. At the time of the inspection there were 36 people accommodated.

People’s experience of using this service

People told us they were settled and happy living at Pinetum. They told us they got their medicines on time and staff supported them when needed.

Arrangements were in place for checking the environment to ensure it was safe. Some people living at Pinetum had been provided with nursing equipment to support their care which was regularly serviced and monitored.

The home was staffed appropriately and consistently. Most staff had been employed for several years and this helped to develop positive relationships with people living there. People told us that the regular staff had the skills and approach needed to help ensure they were receiving the right care.

People told us that they felt safe in the home. Nobody raised any concerns about the care; one person commented, “I’m comfortable with the way they do things for me” and another person said, “It’s very safe.”

There were a series of quality assurance processes and audits carried out internally and externally by staff and visiting managers for the provider. These were effective in managing the home and were based on getting feedback from the people living there.

The formal assessment and planning of people’s care in care records had been reviewed and updated. Records displayed good detail of people's care needs and evidenced their involvement.

There was a positive and relaxed atmosphere in the home. People living in the home interacted freely and the staff interactions we observed were seen to be caring and supportive. Given the wide diversity of peoples care needs, there was a good range of activities planned for people to engage in.

The staff we spoke with described how they would recognise abuse and the action they would take to ensure actual or potential harm was reported.

People were supported to have 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.

We saw people’s dietary needs were managed with reference to individual needs and choice. Meal times provided a good social occasion.

Rating at last inspection:

The last rating for this service was Good (published 4 April 2017).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.

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