CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Cornerways
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People told inspectors they felt safe. Risks were assessed and managed, staffing levels were suitable, medicines were managed safely and the premises were well maintained.
- Effective?
- Good
- People received effective support from staff who knew their needs and preferences. Food choices, healthcare access and support with decision-making were handled well, although ongoing staff training was not always in line with current best practice.
- Caring?
- Good
- Inspectors saw kind and friendly interactions. People and relatives said staff respected privacy, dignity, choices and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Support was personalised and plans were updated when people's needs changed. People were supported with communication, activities, community visits and contact with family.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had an approachable manager and quality checks were used to identify and address issues. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to give feedback.
What inspectors found, July 2019
Cornerways was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with staff training needing updating.
This was an unannounced inspection on 4 June 2019. One inspector spoke with people, staff, relatives and a community professional. They observed care, activities and lunch, toured the home, and checked care plans, medicines, recruitment and quality records.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People were supported by staff who knew them well. Inspectors found kind interactions, safe medicines, suitable staffing, personalised support and good links with health professionals.
The report recommended updating ongoing staff training in line with current best practice. Inspectors also found one gap in a medicines record and some missing employment history information, but both issues were dealt with during or shortly after the inspection.
The previous inspection in 2016 also rated the home Good. This report says the home would continue to be monitored through the usual reinspection programme.
Personalised support
Support plans described people's preferences, needs and goals in detail. People were encouraged to make choices and become more independent.
“People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed friendly interactions. People and relatives said staff were caring, polite and respectful.
“We observed kind and friendly interactions between staff and people.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were stored securely and given at the right times by trained staff. One medicines record gap was dealt with immediately.
“People had their medicines managed safely.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People were supported to go out, follow their interests and stay in contact with family and the local community.
“People had a range of activities they could be involved in and staff ensured they got out of the house regularly.” from the report
Open management
The manager used audits, meetings and feedback to monitor the service and make improvements. Staff said the manager was supportive and approachable.
“The registered manager had quality assurance systems in place to help them identify shortfalls and complete timely actions.” from the report
Staff training updates
needs fixingSome mandatory training updates were not in line with current best practice. The report specifically noted that emergency first aid was updated every three years rather than annually, and made a recommendation for improvement.
“The training information showed the mandatory training updates provided to staff at the service was not always in line with the current best practice guidelines for ongoing social care staff training.” from the report
One medicines record gap
minorInspectors found one gap in the medicines administration records. The manager addressed it immediately.
“We found only one gap and the registered manager addressed it immediately.” from the report
- 01How have you updated ongoing staff training since the inspection, particularly emergency first aid?
- 02How do you now check that medicines administration records are complete?
- 03How do you check employment histories and other recruitment information before staff work at the home?
- 04How are people's support plans reviewed when their health, risks or preferences change?
- 05How can residents and relatives give feedback or raise a complaint, and what improvements have followed recent feedback?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, including care, premises, records and how the home was managed. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 July 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Cornerways
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- July 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 20 December 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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78 live-in carers within about an hour of Wokingham
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 71 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.