We carried out a review of the data available to us about Glen Lyn on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Glen Lyn, you can give feedback on this service.
Glen Lyn is a residential care home registered to provide personal care and accommodation to up to 12 people. The home specialises in the care of older people.
The house is an older style property with accommodation set over three floors. At the time of the inspection 12 people were living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People continued to receive a good standard of care and support.
People felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them. There was a stable staff team. People had built trusting relationships with staff which helped them to feel valued and cared for.
People lived in a home which was well maintained to make sure it provided a pleasant and safe environment. The home was clean and fresh which minimised the risks of the spread of infection.
People were cared for by staff who had the skills and experience to meet their needs. People had confidence in the staff who helped them.
People told us they were happy with the care they received. Staff monitored people’s healthcare needs and helped them to make and attend medical appointments.
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 told us staff were kind and that they respected their privacy. People were encouraged to maintain their independence and their choices and wishes were respected.
People were able to take part in a range of activities at the home and in the community. People’s friends and family were always made welcome at the home which helped them to keep in touch with their loved ones.
The home was well managed by a registered manager who worked alongside other staff. This enabled them to constantly monitor standards and look for where improvements could be made.
People told us the registered manager was open and approachable. People felt able to raise any concerns or make suggestions.
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 of the service was good (Report published 16 August 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
Glen Lyn provides care and accommodation for up to 12 people. The home specialises in the care of older people in a homely environment. At the time of the inspection there were 9 people living at the service. One of the beds is reserved for people staying for a period of respite.
There is a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The registered manager was also the joint owner. Both owners worked in the home on a daily basis and were able to offer on-going supervision and guidance to people and the staff team. They constantly monitored practice to ensure high standards and allow them to plan on-going improvements
At the last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
People told us they felt safe in the home. They said they would be comfortable to discuss any worries or concerns with the registered manager. Staff said they knew how to report any concerns and were confident the manager would take appropriate action. People were supported by sufficient staff to meet their needs in a relaxed and unhurried manner.
Staff began work in the home after a robust recruitment process and an individualised induction. Staff were trained to meet people’s individual needs. Staff competency was monitored on an annual basis to ensure staff were able to care for people with skill and knowledge
People received care and support that was personalised and respected their wishes and preferences. People were able to make choices about all aspects of daily living and were encouraged to maintain their independence.
.People were very complimentary about the food served at the home and said there was a good variety. People told us staff `“know what we like” and there was “never a problem” with getting sufficient appetising food. One person commented, “Food is always fresh and delicious.” One person told us they had enjoyed food they “had never tasted before. Very good indeed.” Prompt effective action had been taken when people had lost weight.
People confirmed their health care needs were met in the home. They told us if they were unwell they received prompt attention from their GP and good care from staff in the home. People were supported to attend hospital or clinic appointments.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The registered manager was experienced and knowledgeable about current practice for people living with dementia. They provided on-going formal and informal training for staff to make sure people benefitted from their knowledge.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
This inspection was unannounced and took place on 7 October 2015.
Glen Lyn provides care and accommodation for up to 11 people. The home specialises in the care of older people. At the time of the inspection there were 10 people using the service. One of the 10 people was staying for a period of respite.
There is a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The registered manager was also the joint owner. Both owners worked in the home on a daily basis and were able to offer on-going supervision and guidance to people and the staff team. They constantly monitored practice to ensure high standards and allow them to plan on-going improvements.
There was a relaxed and happy atmosphere with lots of friendly banter and laughter. People said they were supported by kind and caring staff. One person said “Staff are all very friendly.” Another person told us “I’m well looked after by nice staff.”
Glen Lyn aimed to provide a very personalised service to people which respected their wishes and abilities. People were able to make choices about all aspects of their day to day lives and were encouraged to maintain their independence.
Staff respected people’s individuality and their right to make choices about how they lived. Each person had their needs assessed before they moved into the home. This was to make sure the home was appropriate to meet the person’s needs and expectations. From the initial assessments care plans were devised to ensure staff had information about how people wanted their care needs to be met.
People told us they felt safe at the home and with the staff who supported them. The provider had a robust recruitment procedure which minimised the risks of abuse to people. Staff said they knew how to report any concerns and people who lived at the home said they would be comfortable to discuss any worries or concerns with the registered manager.
People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff to meet their needs in a relaxed and unhurried manner. Staffing levels were adjusted according to what was going on each day. Staff numbers were increased when needed to ensure people were supported with appointments, care reviews and outings. Staff confirmed there were always enough staff to meet people’s needs and spend time socialising.
Staff had a good knowledge of people and told us they quickly noticed any changes in a person that may indicate they were not feeling well. The staff arranged for people to see health care professionals according to their individual needs. One person said “They sort out the doctor if you aren’t well. They are also very good at arranging appointments.”
People’s nutritional needs were assessed to make sure they received a diet in line with their needs and wishes. People were very complimentary about the food served at the home and said there was a good variety. Comments included “No one will starve here and all the food is really nice” and “We always get lovely meals.”
We observed that all people were able to move around the house as they wished to, having their own rooms and communal areas available at all times. During our visit we observed people being helped to use the computer, assistance being given to sit quietly in a place of their choice as well as those who were joining in conversation in the communal lounge.
The people we spoke to were happy with the help and assistance they received from staff, we were told 'I only have to ask if I want anything' a relative told us they were 'always made welcome when I visit' We observed that staff were encouraged to sit and chat with people in a friendly and relaxed manner, with time given to people to respond and make their wishes known.
We observed how food was prepared and presented, with a good choice of menus and individual tastes and dietary requirements provided for. People were encouraged to help in the kitchen if they wished, with regular baking sessions in place.
We obtained feedback from a GP surgery and spoke to a GP, who told us they had found the care given to their patients living in the home was 'perfect, exemplary' We spoke to a visiting optician who told us they carried out regular visits to the home as well as providing staff training.
We found that people were encouraged to be as independent as possible, whilst supported during any periods of anxiety. The home had good quality assurance processes in place, with people consulted and involved in various ways in how the room was managed and in the day to day running of the home.
We spoke with people and asked them about the help and assistance they had. Those who were able to respond confirmed 'everything is alright' and 'good.' Other people we observed to be unable to participate in communicating their opinion. However, we saw that they appeared to be relaxed and at home with their surroundings and the people they were living with. We saw that each person was dressed appropriately; their hair and nails and teeth cared for.
We obtained feedback from a GP surgery that had patients living in the home. They told us 'the staff at Glen Lyn provides excellent care and we have no concerns at all regarding this home.'
We found that people were encouraged to be as independent as possible. We also found the home had good quality assurance processes that included regular processes for consulting and involving people in how the home was run and managed.
We were told that staff were kind and attentive and 'nothing is too much trouble.'.
Not everyone in the home was able to tell us about the care they received themselves. We could see these people appeared happy and relaxed.
One person told us 'I have everything I need here.' Another person said 'We are very well looked after here. It could not be better.'
People said that they were always asked if they were ready to receive care.
One person told us that although they usually ate in the dining room if they were tired or unwell they would be offered the choice to eat in their room and be "really looked after". They said " I don't do it often but it is nice to know I can if I want to.'
People told us about how they liked to spend their days in the home. One person told us that they went out every weekend with a "helper". On the morning of the visit one person was reading a newspaper and listening to their choice of music in their room. Others were joining in a musical activity in the sitting room. 'We are kept busy here if we want to be.'
People appeared to enjoy living in this comfortable homely environment. Those not able to express an opinion were confident as they moved about the communal rooms.
People have made their rooms individual and attractive. One person whose room overlooked the street told us of enjoying "watching people going up and down the road".
One person said "This place is very well run. (The manager) has her finger on the pulse."
People are encouraged to contribute to the running of the home on a daily basis and in monthly meetings.
The comfortable friendly atmosphere in the home is underpinned by sound care planning and health support. One person said " Staff will always call a doctor if you are ill." Another person said "We have nothing to worry about here."