Lynton Terrace

Updated 1 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

The inspection was conducted by 2 inspectors.

Service and service type

Lynton Terrace is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. Lynton Terrace is a care home without 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. However, they were not responsible for the day to day running of the service and their role was to support the interim manager who worked at the service full time.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We looked at all the information we held about the provider. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with 6 people who lived at the service. We observed care and support. We spoke with 3 support workers and the area manager. We looked at how medicines were managed, conducted an inspection of the environment and equipment, and looked at a range of records. These included care records for 4 people, staff support records, records of meetings, audits and other records used by the provider for managing the service.

Updated 1 November 2023

About the service

Lynton Terrace is a care home for up to 10 adults with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection, 10 people were living at the service.

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

The environment and equipment were not always safely maintained or clean.

People received their medicines in a safe way. However, some of the systems for managing medicines were not safe. For example, the way in which they were stored.

The provider's systems for monitoring and mitigating risks were not always effectively operated.

People were happy at the service. They received personalised care. They liked the staff and they felt safe and well cared for. People had access to healthcare professionals who worked closely with the staff. There were organised activities and people could learn new skills and develop their independence.

The staff felt well supported. There were staff vacancies and the provider relied on temporary staff to help make sure they had enough staff on duty. They tried to arrange for familiar temporary staff and gave these staff support and guidance to help them work well alongside permanent workers. There were systems to help ensure only suitable staff were recruited. The staff undertook a range of training and had opportunities to meet with their line manager to discuss their work.

There were systems for monitoring quality and dealing with complaints, accidents, and incidents. The registered manager also managed another care service. They supported an interim manager who worked at Lynton Terrace full time. People using the service and staff told us they felt the interim manager was approachable and had helped develop the service.

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.

For more information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary, the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 21 October 2017).

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection based on the date of the previous inspection.

Enforcement

We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, premises and equipment and good governance at this inspection.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.