Lynmere Nursing Home

Updated 8 November 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors, 1 specialist nurse advisor and 1 Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Lynmere Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Lynmere Nursing Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and the local Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 9 people who used the service and 4 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the registered manager, nursing and care staff, the chef, laundry and maintenance staff. We spoke with the nominated individual at initial feedback. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included medication records and care records for 5 people. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 8 November 2023

About the service

Lynmere Nursing Home is a care home providing accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care to up to 24 people. The service provides support to older people, people with a physical disability and younger adults. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service. The home accommodates people in one single-storey building. People have their own bedrooms and can access communal areas including adapted bathrooms, lounges and dining areas.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Medicines were managed safely by trained staff and people received their medicines as prescribed. There was a safeguarding policy in place and staff knew how to identify and report any concerns. The home was clean and tidy. Staff had been recruited safely and there were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Care plans were informative to guide staff on people’s immediate care needs, how to manage risks and how people preferred to have their care delivered. Regular home safety and equipment checks were in place.

There was a mandatory training programme in place and staff completed the care certificate. Staff received supervision and ongoing support. Feedback about food and drink was positive and kitchen staff were aware of people’s preferences and individual risks around food and drink. People were supported to access healthcare and the service facilitated appropriate and timely referrals to other agencies and professionals.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were cared for by caring, respectful, and attentive staff who knew people well. We observed many kind and caring interactions. People were treated with dignity and kindness and were observed to be well cared for and had their independence respected. Feedback from people, relatives and visiting professionals was positive about the care provided at the home.

The service had a warm and homely environment and welcomed people's relatives, friends and pets, especially during activities and events. This helped people maintain important relationships. Group activities and entertainment were provided at the home and bespoke, one-to-one time was provided to those people who stayed in their room.

People, relatives and visiting professionals were very positive about the registered manager and staff team. The registered manager had built relationships with stakeholders and other professional teams.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 8 December 2017).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Lynmere Nursing Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.