- Care home
Lindisfarne Crawcrook
Assessment report published 22 July 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 16 June to 11 July 2025. Lindisfarne Crawcrook is a care home providing nursing and personal care for up to 60 people who have physical health conditions, mental health needs or living with dementia. At the time of the inspection, 54 people used the service.
At the last inspection we identified a breach of regulation in relation to staffing, safe care and treatment and governance. We also made a recommendation staff received further training around supporting people who are experiencing emotional reactions and person-centred care. At this inspection, improvements had been made, and the service was no longer in breach of regulations. The staff had received additional training around supporting people.
Staff treated people with dignity and kindness. Staff worked with people to ensure they could still take everyday risks, and the activity co-ordinators ensured people engaged in meaningful occupation. The registered manager was in the process of reviewing cover arrangements to ensure when ancillary staff and the activities co-ordinators were on leave there were always enough staff to continue these activities.
The provider had actively recruited nurses and had a programme in place to assist overseas nurses to gain their Nursery and Midwidery Council (NMC) registration. The programme had meant the staff awaiting their registration worked as senior carers at the home, which had greatly benefitted both the home, people and also assisted in the upskilling of care staff. The registered manager ensured staff had the skills prior to admitting people with complex needs.
Staff had received training around the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated code of practice. DoLS applications were appropriately submitted. We discussed the use of capacity assessments and ‘best interests’ decisions and how these could be extended to all aspects of care where staff were imposing restrictions, or the person could not give their consent. The registered manager took immediate action to address this.
People received a nutritious diet, which, when needed, followed dietitian’s guidance and was tailored to their preferences. Medicines were safely managed. Staff worked with local healthcare professionals and sought advice when required. Staff worked very effectively as a team to ensure people’s support needs were met.
The registered manager ensured there was a system in place to encourage continuous learning, innovation and improvement across the service. They encouraged creative ways of delivering equality of experience, outcome and quality of life for people. The service, under their leadership, had received a ‘Creating a better quality of life for people with dementia’ award.
The provider and registered manager ensured the quality assurance system they had in place was effective. They encouraged people to share their views and always looked to see what improvements could be made.
People's experience of this service
People told us staff were very caring, kind and supportive. Relatives also found staff were kind and respectful. People praised staff for how well they worked with them. Staff ensured the quality of the care people received was good. A person said, “The staff are really nice, and we are well looked after.” Where people had very limited verbal communication, we used a structured observation tool to assess whether they received good care. This approach showed people were included and listened to and staff consistently interacted positively with them. Staff worked with people in a sensitive, caring and considerate manner. They understood how to support people to reduce any distress they might be experiencing.
People felt safe and their human rights were fully promoted. They were encouraged to make decisions. People told us they felt listened to and consulted around how their care and support should be provided. People felt staff were competent and knowledgeable. People felt able to complain and were confident action would be taken and improvements would be made. A relative said, “[Person] is happy here and we always find the staff are easy to talk to and keep us up to date.” A person said, “I’m always asked what I want and staff do listen to me.”