Willow Bank Care Home

Updated 3 June 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 27 May 2021 and was announced.

Updated 3 June 2021

About the service

Willow Bank Care Home is a residential home situated in Bradford. The home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 59 older people and people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 38 people living at the home. The care home accommodates people across two wings, each of which has separate adapted facilities.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Recruitment was generally managed safely but some improvements were needed. Checks had been completed but we found gaps in staff employment histories had not always been fully reviewed. We have made a recommendation recruitment processes are updated.

People’s care needs were assessed. Care plans were person centred and generally up to date and staff understood how to support people.

People and relatives told us they thought the service was safe. They praised the standard of care at the home and described staff as kind and caring. The atmosphere in the home was relaxed and inclusive.

Medicines were managed safely. People’s health needs were met and there were close links with health professionals and other agencies.

The home and the grounds were accessible and well maintained. Some areas had been recently been refurbished.

Staff were knowledgeable about people and the topics we asked them about. They received a range of training, supervision and appraisal.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The registered manager provided the home with leadership and promoted a strong team culture. They maintained good oversight through communication with people and the team and a detailed scheduled of audits. They were passionate about continuing to improve the quality of the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 14 August 2018) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Willow Bank Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.