Byron Lodge Care Home

Updated 24 December 2024

Date of Assessment: 28 January to 18 March 2025. Byron Lodge Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our visit there were 48 people using the service.

We assessed the service to review breaches of regulation we found at our last assessment in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance. At this assessment, improvements had been made, and the provider was no longer in breach of regulation. There was a new manager who was committed and knowledgeable. Improvements had been made and quality assurance processes provided the management team with good oversight of the service. The provider had ensured medicines management was improved and governance systems were effective.

Risks to people’s health were managed well, and people were supported safely. The environment was accessible to people living with dementia and their bedrooms were homely. Staff were safely recruited, trained, and regularly supervised. Staff protected people from the risk of harm and abuse. The service was clean and staff used personal protective equipment appropriately. There was an ongoing maintenance plan in place and equipment was regularly checked and serviced. Health and social care professional involvement was sought and valued. People were supported by a staff team who knew them well. Staff understood people’s communication methods, which were documented in care plans. People enjoyed a programme of activities including entertainment. Visits from a therapy dog were much appreciated.

Mental capacity assessments were completed and best interests decisions were made with people’s legal representatives and relevant professionals.

Updated 24 December 2024

People told us they felt safe and they were happy with the service. People and their relatives spoke positively about the staff and managers. One person said, “Yes, I get well cared for, I’m always happy here.” One visiting relative said, “[My family member] is very relaxed and settled”. When we asked if staff maintained people’s dignity, relatives said they did. One relative responded, “[All staff] are friendly and kind to [people].” They indicated this was throughout the whole team, from housekeeping staff to managers.

People and their relatives were involved with planning their care and support. Relatives told us they were kept informed of changes. One relative said, “[My family member] has a care plan.” People and their relatives told us the service was well led. A relative said, “[The manager] listens and gets things done.” Some people could not directly tell us about their experience. Throughout our visit we observed staff supporting people in a caring and supportive way.

People told us they enjoyed the activities on offer, this included music and games, as well as visiting performers and therapy animals. In the afternoon of our visit there was an entertainer singing in the reception area. They were very positively received by everyone. People were singing along to the music, with smiles and laughter, and dancing with their relatives and staff.