- Care home
Lyngate Care Home
Assessment report published 15 April 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 11 February to 13 March 2026. Lyngate Care Home is a residential care home, registered to support up to 41 older people. At the time of the assessment, 32 people were living at the home. The assessment was completed due to the age of the current rating, and due to CQC being made aware by the local authority in December 2025, of an organisational safeguarding which had been substantiated. This indicated potential risks to people which we wanted to assess.
The provider was in breach of 2 legal regulations. These were in relation to staffing and good governance, including record keeping. The provider’s system for determining safe staffing levels, indicated not enough were deployed to meet people’s assessed needs, observations and feedback supported this. Staff training records were incomplete, so we could not be assured all training had been carried out. Staff supervision meetings had not been completed in line with the provider’s policy. Gaps and errors were noted within monitoring charts and care records. Governance processes were not robust; with shortfalls we found not being identified internally. Actions and improvements which had been identified had not always been addressed timely.
Safeguarding concerns had been reported in line with guidance, though records lacked detail about what actions the provider had taken. Accidents and incidents records also required greater detail regarding actions taken, outcomes and lessons learned. However, a new formal review process had been introduced, to help identify themes and generate recommendations to minimise reoccurrence. Complaints were managed in line with policy, though records were not contemporaneous. Care records contained detailed guidance about risks to people and how these would be met. Safety checks of the home and equipment had been completed in line with guidance, with certification in place. Medicines had been given to people in line with their prescription; however, we identified some minor issues with record keeping.
Monitoring of care was inconsistent, with gaps noted in charts and care records. Assessment processes were in place, to ensure the home was suitable and could meet people’s needs. People’s consent to care was documented, and where people lacked capacity, decisions had been made in their best interest. People had access to a range of medical and health professionals, with information logged in care records.
Staff were described as kind and caring, with permanent staff having a good knowledge of people and their needs. During site visits, we observed staff to be helpful, friendly and they supported people in a dignified manner. The provider had no restrictions on visiting, with people having ongoing access to family and friends. Feedback about activity provision was mixed. Limited records and evidence to show what was offered or had been completed was shared with us.
Improvement was needed in how the provider sought people’s views and ensured they were involved in the home and how it was run. Further consideration was also needed in ensuring equity in access, especially safe access to outdoor spaces and improved signage to support navigation around the home. Care plans were detailed and explained people’s needs and how they wished to be cared for. Care records also contained a range of person centred information about people’s life history, likes and dislikes, to help staff know people better. Staff communicated with people in ways they wanted and could understand. People’s end of life wishes were captured and respected.
Staff views were sought via a recent survey. Staff meetings had been held, but records detailing when were confusing and contradictory. Changes to ownership of the home and the management team had taken place over the last 9 months, which had impacted on continuity. However, staff and people were happy with the current set up, telling us the manager was approachable, listened and provided support when needed.
People's experience of this service
People told us they felt safe living at Lyngate Care Home. They also spoke positively about the staff and the support they provided. Comments included, “I have been well since I came in here and do feel safe here and looked after” and “I like it here the carers are lovely, they are all very kind and they look after me well.”
People and relatives told us staff were very busy and at times did not feel enough were on shift. One relative told us, “I think they are probably short on staff at times. A few times, we’ve come in and things have been missed or not done, probably because carers are so busy.” However, despite this, everyone we spoke with was happy with the care they received.
People provided mixed feedback about activity provision, telling us some things were provided but they would like to do more. As no activity schedule was displayed or provided, it was not clear what should be offered each day.
People told us staff were kind and caring, treated them with dignity and respected their wishes. People were encouraged to maintain their independence by completing any tasks they could manage by themselves, with staff only assisting as and when required. One person said, “The staff are brilliant. I am very independent and they encourage this. I dress and shower myself, and I’ve just come back from a medial appointment I attended on my own.”
People told us they received enough to eat and drink, and overall were happy with the meals provided, though some felt more choice would be better. Comments included, “The food is not bad, but there’s not a lot of choice” and “The food is brilliant I have put on some weight since being in here.”
People and relatives told us they knew who to talk to if they felt they had a problem or an issue and would not feel nervous about speaking with any of the staff. They also said they would be happy to discuss anything with the registered manager, as everyone was very approachable.