• Care Home
  • Care home

Lyons Court Care Home

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Stones End, Evenwood, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 9RE (01388) 834516

Provided and run by:
Durham Care Line Limited

Assessment report published 23 June 2025

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Responsive

Good

12 June 2025

Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the service met people’s needs.At our last assessment we rated this key question requires improvement. At this assessment the rating has changed to good. This meant people’s needs were met through good organisation and delivery.

This service scored 71 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Person-centred Care

Score: 2

Staff made sure people were at the centre of their care and treatment choices and they decided, in partnership with people, how to respond to any relevant changes in people’s needs. A relative commented, “We have discussed [Name]’s care plan, it has changed recently.” Care records were detailed and provided staff with information of how people wished to be supported. This included information about people's likes and dislikes, things of importance to them to assist with person-centred care. However, improvements were needed to staff interaction with people to ensure more person-centred care, so staff took time to engage and interact with people and not only when they were providing personal care and support. The registered manager told us this would be addressed.

Care provision, Integration and continuity

Score: 3

The service understood the diverse health and care needs of people and their local communities, so care was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity. Information was available and shared between services as needed to ensure people's care and treatment needs could be assessed and met. People’s care records showed how people’s care was planned and delivered with continuity, inclusion and a holistic approach to their needs. This included, for example, how people were supported after admission following a hospital stay caused by a decline in health or an accident.

Providing Information

Score: 3

The provider supplied some information in formats that were tailored to individual needs. However, people did not always have information in formats to suit them, for example, when choosing meals. We discussed the use of pictorial menus which could be advertised in a larger accessible font, so people were kept informed on a daily and weekly basis. The registered manager informed us pictorial menus were available, however, we observed they were not in use at the time of inspection.

Listening to and involving people

Score: 3

The registered manager made it easy for people to share feedback and ideas, or raise complaints about their care, treatment and support. They involved people in decisions about their care and told them what had changed as a result. People told us staff listened to their views and acted on feedback. People and their relatives knew how to voice their opinions or raise complaints and felt free to do so. Their comments included, “If there is anything wrong, we can question it”, “No concerns, my relative met the manager and sorted things out” and “We have no issues, if we did we would speak to the manager or office staff.”

Equity in access

Score: 3

The provider made sure that people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it. People's care records showed they had access to care and support and referrals were made for treatment when they needed it. A health care professional told us, “Lyons Court staff do follow advice that is given, and they make timely referrals.” A relative commented, “[Name] was in hospital with a chest infection, staff are on the ball with things like that.” Care records included information about people's sensory and communication needs.

Equity in experiences and outcomes

Score: 3

Staff and leaders actively listened to information about people who are most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes and tailored their care, support and treatment in response to this. Care plans included information around people’s identity, things which were important to them, their wishes and relationships they wanted to maintain. Relatives’ comments included, “We know what the care plan is. We were asked questions about [Name] before they moved in” and “The majority of staff knew [Name] before they came in.”

Planning for the future

Score: 3

People were supported to plan for important life changes, so they could have enough time to make informed decisions about their future, including at the end of their life. People’s wishes to remain at the home were respected when they neared the end of their life. Advanced care plans that were in place contained people’s plans for the future and if they wished to be transferred to hospital if their health deteriorated. Information was available about people's religion and cultural preferences if this support was required. A relative commented, “Staff have asked about [Name]’s future plans and we have arranged all that.”