Porthgwara Nursing Home in Helston, Cornwall a nursing home for adults with physical disabilities was rated outstanding for being caring, responsive and well-led following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), 21 & 23 November 2017.
It achieved a score of good for the safe and effective elements of the report.
The CQC report highlighted that Porthgwara provided exemplary care to people. All staff demonstrated a commitment to ensuring people received the best possible care. When staff interacted with people they did so in a relaxed, dignified and unhurried manner. Some people were unable to speak about their experiences, however the CQC inspectors observed people always responded to positively when staff interacted with them. Residents appeared relaxed and comfortable with the staff who supported them.
A fundamental aim of the service was to promote people's quality of life by providing positive opportunities for them to live life to the full. They were encouraged to maintain and develop interests important to them and this contributed to residents living meaningful lives. Strong emphasis was placed on people overcoming any obstacles such as health conditions, to aim high and be in full control of their lives.
Due to a recent storm the service had intermittent power, areas of the service were flooded, and the building was cut off from all local services. The road was only accessible by the emergency services as being so damaged that staff could only access the building with emergency personnel escort. It was suggested that residents may have had to be airlifted out of the service to a safer location, however there would have been a serious risk to people's health if this occurred. Therefore, the owners and staff committed to finding ways to keep people safe within the service. They worked with emergency services, contractors, food suppliers, medical services and health and social care professionals to ensure the service could run as safely and smoothly as possible. In addition, the service offered accommodation to a vulnerable person who lost their home in the village and supported any visitors who were at the service during the time of the storm.
Feedback from the emergency services, contractors and the Head of Adult Social Care was exceptionally positive in how well the owners and registered manager ensured that people continued to receive high quality care in these extreme circumstances. They also praised the staff for their commitment in getting to work in such difficult terrain, and their own personal circumstances.
