Corona House Residential Home is registered to provide accommodation for up to 15 people who require accommodation and support with their personal care. The home is close to local shops and has good public transport links. At the time of our inspection six people lived at the home.

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 Some of the staff training was out of date and required refreshing but the manager had already picked this up and was in the process of addressing this.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.

Corona House Residential Home is registered to provide accommodation for up to 15 people who require accommodation and support with their personal care. The home is close to local shops and has good public transport links. At the time of our inspection six people lived at the home.

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 owned by Mrs Deborah Wallace and Mr John Wallace and Mrs Wallace was also the registered manager. A total of 22 staff were employed, all working part-time. All of the care staff had a national vocational qualification in care. One of the people we spoke with said “I get on well with all the staff”.

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.”

When we visited Corona House we spoke to four people who used the service and four members of staff. We also spoke with the visiting hairdresser and District Nurse. People who used the service told us that they were very comfortable and happy living here. They said they felt very safe and well looked after. People said they were always accompanied by a carer when walking to ensure that they didn't fall. They said they were very happy with the care they received and with the food, and that they were given a choice at mealtimes.

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.

As part of this review of compliance we asked relatives to comment on the operation of the service. We also asked Wirral Borough Council, contract department, LINKs* and health professionals who regularly support people using the service for their views. LINKs had no up to date information for this compliance review. Wirral Borough Council contract department had no concerns to raise about this service.

An expert by experience accompanied us on this visit. An expert by experience has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses a health, mental health and/or social care service. They made observations, and spoke to the people using the service and staff. The expert by experience found that the staff treated the people using the service very well and observed very high standards of care are provided. She commented that staff were attentive to people’s care needs and there was an atmosphere of friendship in the home between the staff and the people using the service.

The people using the service said they are very happy with the care they receive. They said the staff are kind and they feel well looked after. They said they had never experienced any form of abuse. Their comments included:

“I chose this home myself and chose correctly. I feel I get the best care and the staff could not be more helpful. Staff look after my clothes well

except for the odd item which they later found. They listen to what I have to say, and they bring my neighbour and myself a small sherry before

lunch which we enjoy. “

“I enjoy doing crosswords and the staff always join in and assist. It helps

my brain to keep ticking over and we always have a laugh. Today staff are taking me to have my cataracts tended to. Staff are so helpful it stops me worrying about things. The food is good, especially the homemade steak pie.”

“I am not feeling very well today, but the staff have called the doctor who

I am expecting this morning sometime. I only have to ask staff for anything I need and they help me. I cannot find my replacement hearing aid batteries but staff have gone to get me some from the office.”

“I have only been here a few months, but I am very happy, and the food is very good. There couldn’t be a better place.”

“It was my birthday last week, I am 103 years old. We had a party and the cook made me a special cake. Staff take good care of me.”

Relatives spoken with said they were very happy with the care their relative received. Their comments included:

“I cant speak highly enough of the staff, they are all excellent. The staff are very respectful towards the people using the service. This is a 10 star home.”

“My relative is very happy and well looked after. The staff are wonderful and like friends. I really enjoy visiting the home.”

“I have the greatest of respect for all the staff. The home is excellent.”

“The home is very well managed.”

"My mum is very well looked after, the staff are all brilliant."

“Debbie the manager is very good, I am very impressed.”

“I am very impressed with every aspect of the home. Staff are very good at keeping us informed about what’s going on and the care and respect given to my relative is excellent.”

“The care is excellent. I have no problems with the home at all. The staff do an excellent job. When my mum wasn’t well, the staff were excellent in the way they looked after her.”

We spoke with four health care professionals involved in the service. They were very impressed with the care provided and the way in which the home is managed. Their comments included:

"The staff are marvellous. I have never seen any signs of abuse or neglect. The staff always keep us informed when people are unwell."

“The manager is brilliant, very organised and on top of things.”

“The care given at this home is very good indeed. All my patients seem very happy and I have no concerns. The staff know about my patients’ individual care needs and the staff are very caring.”

The manager is very good and I am very impressed. The staff turnover is low which is good.”

* LINKs is a networks of individuals and organisations that have an interest in improving health and social care services. They are independent of the council, NHS and other service providers. LINks aim to involve local people in the planning and delivery of services.