- Care home
Pine Lodge Care Home
Assessment report published 23 October 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
This assessment took place between 14 September and 21 September 2026. We visited the service on 14 September 2026. Following the visit, we spoke to people and reviewed documents off site.
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.
People's experience of this service
People and their relatives told us the service had improved considerably and that they were happier with the care provided. They described a more positive, welcoming and well-organised service where staff were visible, available and responsive. One relative said, “I honestly have to say since [the new registered manager] has been there it’s got better and better and better, I have no complaints or any negatives.”
Relatives said staff now came promptly when support was needed and there were enough staff, including at weekends. People were treated with kindness, patience, dignity and respect. Staff knew people well, understood their needs, preferences and routines, and provided more personalised support. People were offered choices about what they ate and drank, where they spent their time and which activities they joined. Their independence was encouraged through exercise, trips, social events and meaningful activities. People and their relatives particularly valued the activity programme, which included parties, entertainment and trips to places such as the pub and seaside.
People felt safe, and relatives were confident staff understood and managed risks appropriately. People’s health and wellbeing were monitored, and they had access to healthcare professionals when needed. Relatives praised improvements to cleanliness, noting that bedrooms were tidy, clean and free from unpleasant odours.
Food and mealtime experiences were a particular strength. Relatives said the food was excellent and had encouraged people with previously poor appetites to eat better.
People and relatives felt listened to and involved in decisions about care, menus and activities. They knew how to raise concerns or make complaints and described the registered manager as approachable, caring and responsive.