CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Lyndale
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found enough staff, up-to-date risk assessments, safe medicines arrangements and safeguarding training. Staff also reviewed accidents, incidents and near misses to reduce the chance of problems happening again.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and care plans were regularly reviewed with people and relatives. Staff were trained and supported, and people were helped to access healthcare and maintain nutrition and independence.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff were described and observed as kind, respectful and supportive. People were involved in decisions about their routines, lifestyles and care, and were encouraged to be independent.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans covered people's histories, needs and daily routines. People were supported with activities, trips, relationships and communication, and complaints were reviewed and dealt with.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found open management, regular checks and audits, staff meetings and feedback from people and relatives. The manager used incidents, reviews and feedback to identify improvements.
What inspectors found, September 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with the kitchen experience not observed during the visit.
The CQC carried out an unannounced inspection on 17 July 2019. The inspector spoke with three people living at the home, observed staff, spoke with three staff members and reviewed care, medicines, training and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines management, personalised support and good arrangements for activities, healthcare and independence.
The home was also rated Good at the previous inspection in 2016. The kitchen was being renovated, so inspectors could not observe the usual lunchtime experience. Plans were also in place to improve the garden, décor and accessibility.
Kind and respectful support
Staff knew people well and supported them with kindness, dignity and respect. People were encouraged to take part in conversations and activities.
“The staff were caring and kind and understood what was important to people.” from the report
Choice and independence
People chose aspects of their daily routines and were supported to do as much as possible for themselves. The attached flats were used to develop independent living skills.
“People made decisions about their routines and lifestyles.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs, including extra staff for activities. Medicines were administered safely and checked through regular audits.
“We found there were enough staff available to meet people's needs.” from the report
Activities and community life
People were supported to attend activities, local groups, restaurants, trips and community events according to their preferences.
“There were organised activities within the home and local community.” from the report
Learning and oversight
The home used audits, care plan reviews and incident analysis to identify improvements. Staff received regular supervision, meetings and training.
“Information from the quality assurance systems, care plan reviews and incidents were used to inform changes and make improvements to the quality of care people received.” from the report
Kitchen work affected the inspection
minorThe kitchen was being renovated, so inspectors could not see the usual lunchtime experience. Ask how meals, food choices and cooking opportunities are working after the work.
“At the time of our inspection the kitchen was undergoing renovation and therefore we were not able to observe the usual lunchtime experience for people who live at the home.” from the report
Accessibility improvements were still developing
minorSignage was being improved, and plans were being actioned for the garden, windows, carpets and dining room layout. Ask which of these changes have now been completed.
“The signage around the home was being developed and improved.” from the report
- 01Has the kitchen renovation been completed, and can residents now help with cooking if they wish?
- 02Have the planned garden, window, carpet and dining room accessibility improvements been completed?
- 03How will staff support my relative to develop independent living skills and make their own daily choices?
- 04What activities and community trips are available, and how are residents' individual preferences used to plan them?
- 05How are medicines, incidents and changes in people's risks checked and followed up?
This was an unannounced inspection covering the care home, accommodation and personal care, with all five CQC questions rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 September 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, November 2016
Lyndale is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced inspection on 1 September 2016. Inspectors met everyone living at the home, spoke in depth with three people, contacted two relatives and spoke with the manager and four staff members. They also checked care, medicines, risk, training, recruitment and management records.
Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines arrangements and suitable staff training. People were supported to make choices, manage risks, eat well and access healthcare. Staff were described as kind, respectful and familiar with people's individual needs.
Care was personalised and adapted when people's needs changed. People were supported to keep in touch with family, enjoy hobbies and make complaints. The home had a stable staff and management team, with checks in place to monitor quality and make improvements.
The home was rated Good overall. It was also rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This report does not list any breached regulations, enforcement action or special measures.
Enough familiar staff
Inspectors found sufficient staff to provide individual support, including activities outside the home. Many staff had worked there for several years and knew people's routines and needs.
“There was sufficient staff on duty to support each person with their individual needs which included doing fun and interesting things.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were securely stored and staff were trained before administering them. Daily checks helped confirm that people received the right medicines at the right times.
“Daily medicine checks were completed to make sure people were given the right medicines at the right times.” from the report
Choice and dignity
Staff asked permission before providing support and helped people communicate their choices. People were supported to make decisions in the least restrictive way and have privacy.
“Staff respected people's rights to make their own decisions and choices about their care and treatment.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's histories, needs, preferences and communication styles. Staff recognised changes in mood or behaviour and responded in ways that suited each person.
“People received personalised care and support which was responsive to their changing needs.” from the report
Open management
People, relatives and staff were invited to give their views. The manager carried out checks on care plans, medicines and the condition of the home.
“Systems were in place to monitor the quality of care provided and action taken where it was needed.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What has changed in staffing levels and the staff team since the September 2016 inspection?
- 02Are medicines still administered by two staff members and checked daily?
- 03How are people and their families involved in reviewing care plans and changes in support needs?
- 04How do you help each person communicate choices, consent and complaints?
- 05What improvements have been made to the home environment since the inspection?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 November 2016 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Lyndale
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 12 January 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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11 live-in carers within about an hour of Herefordshire, County of
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £960 to £1,410 a week. 10 can care for a couple. 8 years' experience on average.
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.