Archived: Lyndhurst Residential Care Home

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

Accidents and incidents were recorded locally at the care home and also uploaded onto the provider`s internet system. These were reviewed regularly by a quality assurance manager. Any similarities or trends were analysed and results were passed on to the manager at the care home for further investigation. This meant the health and safety of people who used the service was protected.

We observed staff members undertaking appropriate infection control procedures. This included wearing protective aprons and gloves when supporting people with their personal care, undertaking domestic duties and working in the kitchen and laundry areas. We looked at the store room. This was locked at all times which helped ensure the safety of people who used the service.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) become important when a person is judged to lack the capacity to make an informed decision related to their care and treatment. The provider told us no applications for DoLS had been made but knew the procedure to be followed if an application needed to be made. At the time of our inspection, no person who used the service was subject to a DoLS.

Is the service effective?

People who used the service had undergone a pre-admission assessment before they were admitted to the care home. The care plans we saw contained clear and relevant information related to the individual care needs and choices of the person. This meant the person had been involved in the creation of their care plans.

We saw a programme of activities for people who used the service. A day trip was planned to a local market and, on the last Friday of every month, people attended a local social club and took part in activities. A lay-person visited the home regularly and spent time with people from all denominations. If necessary, people were supported to attend a church of their choice in the community.

Is the service caring?

We spent time with people in communal areas and observed how staff provided the care and support they needed. We saw staff were very patient and took their time to understand the different needs of people. Staff interacted well with people and support was provided at a pace that suited the person.

People told us if they felt unwell, staff quickly arranged for a doctor or nurse to call and see them. One person told us, "If you tell the carers in the morning you don`t feel well, a doctor will be here in the afternoon. They are very good with anything like that."

Is the service responsive?

People completed a range of activities both within the home and around the local community. An activities co-ordinator was employed at the care home for twenty hours per week. However, the manager told us it was intended to increase the hours to include weekends.

A complaints procedure was in place at the care home which helped ensure people were supported to express any issues or concerns they had. People we spoke with were aware of the complaints procedure. One person told us, "If I have a problem I know who to see. The staff are very good here and always help."

Is the service well led?

We found the provider had effective systems in place that monitored the quality of service being provided to people who used the service. Monthly quality audits were undertaken which were monitored by a quality assurance manager at head office. Outcomes were forwarded to the manager so any shortfalls could be identified and addressed.

GP and other professional visits and appointments had been recorded. The manager told us they had a very good relationship with external agencies which showed a multi-disciplinary approach to providing care. This helped ensure people received appropriate care when they needed it.

During our inspection we saw that all mandatory staff training was up to date. We also saw that some further training relevant to their roles and responsibilities had been provided, such as caring for people with dementia.

Staff told us they felt valued and empowered. Comments included " The company have invested in me and have enabled me to develop and learn new skills."

Care records viewed were clear and identified peoples individual needs. However daily progress sheets should hold more detailed information about the care and support provided. This would enable staff to carry out an audit trail if required and enable peoples relatives to have information about the daily care and support provided.