Pine Lodge Care Home

The service is a care home registered for up to 59 older people and people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection 32 people were receiving a regulated activity living at the service.

At the last inspection, we found 4 breaches of the regulations relating to safe care and treatment, dignity and respect, staffing and good governance. At this assessment, the service had made considerable improvement and was no longer in breach of regulation. The service rating has improved to Good.

People were now safe and protected from avoidable harm. Safeguarding concerns were appropriately reported and investigated, and people’s rights under the Mental Capacity Act were understood. Care plans and risk assessments had improved and had sufficient detail to ensure people received care that was safe. Staff knew people well, and staffing, training, supervision and recruitment supported safe care. The environment was safe including improvement of the fire safety arrangement. The service worked effectively with health and social care professionals. There was enough staff to support people. Staff had the training they needed to deliver good care and were well supported.

Staff were patient, kind and respectful, responded promptly when people needed help, and supported choice, independence and meaningful activity. People were involved in decisions and could raise concerns or complaints. Care was increasingly personalised, with improved assessment, communication, continuity and access to healthcare. Staff supported people’s nutrition, mobility and wellbeing, and monitored health risks and outcomes. A particular strength was the service’s exceptional approach to equity in experiences and outcomes in how people with dietary needs were supported. Staff developed attractive, dignified and inclusive meals, improved nutritional content, involved relatives, shared learning with professionals and reduced the need for external nutritional referrals. Dementia-friendly environmental improvements had also been made.

Leadership and culture had improved significantly. The registered manager was visible, approachable and experienced, and people, relatives and staff described a more open, supportive and positive service. Staff felt listened to and worked well as a team. Systems for reporting incidents, learning lessons and reducing risks were effective.

Some areas were still not consistently effective. Infection prevention practices were not always consistent: parts of the service needed deeper cleaning, and some staff did not change gloves appropriately when handling food. Medicines practice also needed strengthening, including storage of sachets, administration timing, interruptions during medicines rounds and checks on over-the-counter medicines. Governance oversight had not identified all medicines and constipation-monitoring risks. The registered manager acted promptly when concerns were raised and addressed concerns during the inspection.

This service has been in Special Measures since 21 September 2025. The provider demonstrated improvements had been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.