The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Lynwood House

Lynwood Close, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Somerset, BA3 2UA (01761) 412026

Provided and run by:
Voyage Limited

All Inspections

14 November 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Nine people were living at the home at the time of our inspection. Most people had communication difficulties so we were not able to discuss life in the home with them. People used a variety of non-verbal communication methods, which staff understood and responded to appropriately.

Staff understood, respected and implemented people's choices. People were provided with appropriate support to make decisions if this was needed. People chose what activities they wished to take part in both inside and out of the home. Activities for people had improved because the home had recruited more permanent staff in the last few months and staff duties were much more structured.

People were well cared for. People were involved in planning and reviewing their care at a level and pace which suited them. Others close to them, such as family members, were also consulted.

People were supported by a range of health professionals. Some had been involved in writing detailed care plans which were adhered to by staff. Each member of staff we spoke with said that people's care had significantly improved in the last few months as had communication throughout the home and staff consistency.

The provider had an effective quality assurance system in place. This included obtaining people's views about the care and support provided by staff. There were thorough health and safety checks carried out to promote people's welfare and safety.

14 May 2013

During a routine inspection

Only two out of the ten people living at the home were able to express their views verbally. Due to this we spent time observing people and their interactions with staff.

We met all the people who used the service. One person told us "I like living here. The staff always help me"

We observed that people were able to move freely around the home independently or with staff support. Staff engaged with the people well and supported them sensitively. We observed staff provided reassurance with consideration and respect for people. We observed the atmosphere of the service was relaxed and informal.

We spoke with five members of staff working at the home. One staff member told us 'It's a good place to work. I think we support people well." Another staff member told us 'everyone is an individual. I love working with them.'

A new care plan system had been implemented since our last visit. We could not see how people or their advocates were involved in the development and ongoing review of the plans. In some cases we could not see clear guidelines for staff to follow and we saw one example of where the care plan was not followed by staff.

We could see how people were supported to make day to day decisions but we could not see that assessments had been completed to assess people's ability to make more complex decisions.

The home did not have a robust system to assess and monitor the quality of the services provided.

22 May 2012

During a routine inspection

We met with the all the people who lived in the home and they looked happy and well cared for. The people who lived in the home were limited in their abilities to communicate verbally therefore we observed the care that was provided to help us understand their experience. We also spoke with staff

Although the people who lived in the home had difficulties communicating verbally they were able to express their daily choices in other ways. Staff also had regular contact with people's families which helped provide further information about people's preferences.

We observed that people were free to move around the communal areas of the home as they wished. Each person had their own individualised bedroom to suit their needs and preferences. We were told that staff supported people to plan their weekly menu choices and to do their food shopping. People were supported to engage with the local community in various ways. This included regular walks around the town, visits to a local farm, picnics, car journeys, swimming, discos and visits to their family homes. Within the home people were supported with a range of activities including toys and games, access to the garden, listening to music, watching television.

Staff were attentive, patient and friendly with the people who lived in the home and were aware of the most appropriate communication methods for each individual.

People looked at ease and were happy in the presence of the care staff and with the other people who lived in the home.

27 June 2011

During a routine inspection

During our visit, we saw that people in Lynwood House were consulted by staff about what was going to happen. .We observed that staff were friendly and responsive to the people they were caring for.

We saw information in the records to confirm that capacity assessments and best interest meetings are being carried out with other representatives, for example health and social care professionals and family members.

We saw people actively engaged in an art activities session that afternoon with the support of four members of staff.

The deputy manager told us that that the health care needs have improved dramatically for people who use the service and as a result there have been fewer admissions to hospital The GP visits the service on a monthly basis and health needs that affect people are discussed in that meeting. He/She also spoke about how staff are encouraged to use passive exercise and arrangements for people to have physiotherapy are in place.

We observed a member of staff providing one to one personal care support to a person who lives in the home. We saw that the 'peg feed' was being given with sensitivity and in privacy. The person appeared comfortable in their surroundings and with the person providing their care. There were clear records in place to confirm that extra fluids were given as required.

We saw during this review that the people living in the home were respected and supported in being involved in the routines of the home.

Food shopping processes have been implemented with the people living in the home more involved in taking part in shopping to help choose what food they want. A set four week menu was seen that has been developed by the manager showing a range of nutritious and healthy choices.

We observed the interactions between staff and people in the home at the time of our visit. The people looked relaxed and content in the company of the staff. The staff had a friendly, kind and respectful approach. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of each person's usual behaviours.

When we visited the service we looked around the main building of Lynwood house and saw all but three of the bedrooms. We also saw the bathrooms, dining room, two lounge areas and the activities room. We found them all to be clean, tidy and fresh smelling.

The main house, known as Lynwood House, is a large and spacious Victorian building that has ten single bedrooms, three on the ground floor and seven on the first floor, all of which have en-suite facilities. Four of these bedrooms are suitable for people who use a wheelchair and there is a passenger lift between floors. There are two communal lounges areas, a large dining area, an activity room with kitchen area and a separate domestic style kitchen. The other property is known as' The Annexe' is a more modern building situated next door to the main house. This has four single bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities.