Lyons Court Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

​Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. ​ At our last inspection we rated this key question requires improvement. At this inspection the rating has changed to good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.​

This service scored 72 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Management listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. A staff member told us, “All incidents are reported and responded to.” Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. People received safe care because staff learned from safety alerts and incidents. A staff member commented, “We have access to the incident reporting system.” Any incidents about people's safety were discussed with staff in a timely way, with action taken to mitigate further risks.

Staff worked with people and healthcare partners to establish and maintain safe systems of care, in which safety was managed or monitored. Staff made sure there was continuity of care, including when people moved between different services. Information was collected before people started to use the service, and a detailed hospital passport was prepared to ensure their needs could be met, if they moved elsewhere. A relative commented, “Staff went with [Name] in the ambulance to the hospital, and I met them there.”

Staff at the service worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. They concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The service shared concerns quickly and appropriately.People and relatives told us they felt safe, they would speak with staff if they were worried, and they always felt listened to. Their comments included, “I feel quite safe” and “[Name] trusts the staff.”

Staff worked with people to understand and manage risks by thinking holistically. They provided care to meet people’s needs that was safe, supportive and enabled people to do the things that mattered to them.Staff supported people safely and appropriate equipment was available if people needed assistance. Relatives’ comments included, “Staff keep an eye on [Name] when they are walking around” and “[Name] has specially made footwear, special slippers, the staff advise.”

Staff at the service detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment, facilities and technology supported the delivery of safe care. A person told us, “I have a bed rail at each side, staff definitely look out for me. I have had no falls in here.” Equipment was regularly serviced to maintain safety.

The registered manager made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.There were sufficient staff to support people safely. There was less use of agency staff since the last inspection and permanent staff had been successfully recruited which meant staff knew people’s needs. Relatives and people’s comments included, “[Name] has got to know the staff, there is continuity”, “[Name] gets the support when they need it”, “There are always lots of staff” and “No need for more staff here.” Staff feedback and staffing records showed staff received training, supervision, observations and checks of competency and appraisal to carry out their role safely and effectively. Staff members’ comments included, “There is good support for personal development” and “There is plenty of training for us.”

Staff at the service assessed and managed the risk of infection. They detected and controlled the risk of it spreading and shared concerns with appropriate agencies promptly.Staff told us personal protective equipment (PPE) and all cleaning materials needed were available. They confirmed they had received infection control training. Improvements had been made to infection prevention and control since the last inspection. A person commented, “The building is in good repair, everyday someone is cleaning it.” However, further improvements were needed to ensure all areas of the home were clean and odourless. A relative commented, “[Name]’s room has been decorated but the lounge needs painting. The ceiling is dirty.”

The provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Management listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. A staff member told us, “All incidents are reported and responded to.” Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice. People received safe care because staff learned from safety alerts and incidents. A staff member commented, “We have access to the incident reporting system.” Any incidents about people's safety were discussed with staff in a timely way, with action taken to mitigate further risks.