Lindisfarne Newton Aycliffe

Updated 18 November 2022

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.

Inspection team

An inspector, a specialist advisor nurse and an Expert by Experience carried out this inspection. 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

Lindisfarne Newton Aycliffe 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. Lindisfarne Newton Aycliffe 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 not a registered manager in post. A manager was in post but they had not applied for registration when we inspected.

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 professionals who work with the service. 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 8 people and 4 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We reviewed a range of records. This included 6 people's care records and 4 medicine administration records, with accompanying documentation. We spoke with 11 members of staff, including the manager, care, kitchen and domestic staff.

Updated 18 November 2022

About the service

Lindisfarne Newton Aycliffe provides accommodation with personal and nursing care for up to 56 people. The home is split into 3 units across 3 floors. Residential and nursing care is provided to older people and people living with a dementia. At the time of this inspection 44 people were living at the service.

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

The provider did not have effective systems in place to monitor people’s safety when eating and drinking. Fire drills had not been carried out in line with the provider’s policy. Governance processes had not identified or remedied this issue. The provider was required to have a registered manager at the service,. There was a manager in post but they had not applied for registration when we inspected.

People received kind and caring support from staff who knew them well. We saw people were treated with dignity and respect when being supported. Staff helped people to express themselves and make decisions.

Medicines were managed safely. Staffing levels were monitored and staff safely recruited. People were safeguarded from abuse. The provider had effective infection prevention and control systems in place.

Staff received regular training, supervision and appraisal. The premises were adapted for the comfort and convenience of people living there. 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.

Care plans were in place, and staff said these helped them to provide responsive care. Staff could communicate with people effectively. People had access to a range of different activities at the service. The provider had a clear complaints process, which people and relatives were aware of.

Staff spoke positively about the leadership of the manager and the support they received. Feedback was sought from people, relatives and staff. The service worked successfully in partnership with other agencies and external professionals.

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 16 March 2019).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part by notification of an incident following which a person using the service died. This incident was subject to further assessment by CQC as to whether any regulatory action should be taken.

As a result, this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident. However, the information shared with CQC about the incident indicated potential concerns about the management of risk of eating and drinking. This inspection examined those risks.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified a breach in relation to eating and drinking support, record keeping and quality assurance audits at this inspection. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

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