Archived: Corona House Residential Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

Wirral Infection Control team visited the service on in December 2021 and found that infection control standards and practices were very good. At this visit, we found the same. There were robust policies and procedures in place and the manager, and the staff team had worked hard to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

Provisions were in place to ensure visitors were safe to see their loved ones. There were easy to read posters on the entrance to the home advising staff and visitors of the symptoms to spot before they entered the home. All visits were pre-booked with visitors asked to show a negative lateral flow test (LFT) prior to entry. Professional visitors were also asked to evidence they were vaccinated against COVID-19. Records in relation to visitor checks however were not kept and we recommended that the manager commence this immediately.

Visitors were able to visit their loved ones in the home’s conservatory which had a screen in place to mitigate COVID-19 risks or if they preferred, there was a dedicated visiting pod called the ‘garden room’ for people to utilise.

Staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure people were protected as much as possible from the risk of cross infection. There was a sufficient PPE in stock. PPE and hand sanitising gel was located throughout the home. Staff had received training in infection control and how to put on and take off PPE safely.

On the day we visited, the home was clean and hygienic. We saw that there was a daily cleaning regime in place for cleaning and decontamination purposes but records of the daily cleaning tasks completed, were not kept. We recommended the manager do so.

All staff and people living at the service were part of a regular programme of testing for COVID-19 and the manager had clear oversight of this process. All staff and people living in the home were vaccinated against COVID-19.

At the last inspection the service was rated good. At this inspection we found the service remained good.

We spoke with three people who lived in the home and a relative. They all gave positive feedback about the home and the staff who worked in it. It was clear from what people and the relative we spoke with said that the manager and staff team were highly thought of. They told us the manager and all of the staff were kind, caring and compassionate. They told us the support was good.

People’s care records contained clear and easy to understand information about people’s needs and risks and how to support them effectively. Care plans were person centred and gave staff information about the person’s preferences and what was important to them. Staff spoken with had a good knowledge of people’s needs and spoke with genuine affection about the people they supported. The atmosphere at the home was homely, relaxed and nurturing. It was clear that people felt relaxed and comfortable in the company of staff.

Staff recruitment was safe. The manager had ensured the service was staffed sufficiently at all times not only to ensure people’s practical needs were met but also to ensure that staff had sufficient time to chat socially to people and build positive relationships. This was evident in their day to day interactions and by the conversations people had with staff which were spontaneous and natural.

Accidents and incidents and people’s health needs were managed appropriately with support from a range of health and social care professionals. Medication was managed safely and people received enough to eat and drink. People told us the food was of a good quality and they had a good choice.

Staff received appropriate support and supervision in their job role. Some of the staff training was out of date and required refreshing but the manager had already picked this up and was in the process of addressing this. All of the staff spoken with knew people well and were able to tell us how they cared for people. People we spoke told us that the care provided was good and they felt safe at the home.

A diverse range of person centred activities were provided ranging from a knitting group, singing and poetry to trips out to the seaside and to local eateries for a drink and a slice of cake. This promoted people’s social and emotional well-being.

There were a range of effective mechanisms in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and the views of people and staff were regularly sought by the manager. This was good practice.

During our visit, we had no concerns about people’s care or the service itself. We found the home to be well-run with a passionate and caring staff team.

The home was a domestic style property and all parts of the premises were clean, tidy and well-maintained. There were no unpleasant smells. Some bedrooms were shared by two people and arrangements were in place to ensure people's privacy. People's dignity and independence were promoted and there was written information about people's personal preferences in daily living. The home was only able to accommodate people who were mobile, however people could usually be supported during periods of illness and for end of life care with support from GPs and district nurses.

People had a choice of what to eat and drink and daily food and fluid monitoring charts were in place for people who may be at risk. A range of social activities was provided every day and people told us "There is always something going on". People we spoke with said:

'Everybody is very caring.'

'The staff are very kind to us.'

'I have lived here more than ten years and I am very happy, it is lovely.'

'The staff are so attentive to everyone.'

One person said "If I don't like something on the menu they will always provide an alternative".

We found that a range of different activities were provided to keep people stimulated. One lady told us that she enjoyed the activities provided at the home. She said "I do the chair exercises". We were told by three people living in the home that there was plenty to do. One person told us "I am able to go out shopping with a carer". The hairdresser told us that she comes every Monday and everyone gets a choice on having their hair done.

People told us that they found staff very approachable. One person said "If there was anything bothering I could ask for help and I wouldn't be afraid to complain". Another person told us that there was a regular residents meeting where the residents were able to discuss and make changes. People at Corona House were involved in decision making and have choice.