The Willows

Updated 12 December 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service had been identified for use by the Local Authority as a designated care setting in response to the Winter Plan for people discharged from hospital with a positive Covid-19 status. This inspection was to ensure that the service was compliant with infection control and prevention measures.

This inspection took place on 19 and 26 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 12 December 2020

About the service

The Willows is a 60-bed nursing and residential home providing personal care to 41 people, some with mental health needs and with a learning disability. The care home supports people in a purpose-built residential property.

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

Risks had been assessed prior to people moving into the home. Medicines were stored and administered safely, people were supported their medicines in a safe way. People will be re-assessed for their ability to self-administer their own medicines. Recruitment checks had been carried out to ensure staff were suitable to work with people. Staffing levels were adequate to provide individual support and good overall levels of care, however staffing deployment could be improved.

We have made recommendations in the report around checking the environment for any necessary changes to infection controls.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Training for staff was linked to people’s individual support needs. The staff team felt involved in the running of the home and felt supported by the provider, registered manager, nursing and senior staff. Staff had supervision to ensure they met people’s needs. Staff respond to and supported people’s health and care needs.

People were provided with a varied diet which met their individual cultural needs. Healthcare was supported by the staff and people were provided with treatment following consultations.

People were fully involved in making decisions about their care and their consent was obtained prior to offering care. People were supported by a staff team who were kind and caring and treated them in a considerate and respectful manner. Staff promoted people’s privacy and dignity.

Staff were knowledgeable about people’s individual needs informed by well detailed care and support plans. There was a complaints process in place which was managed effectively. People had complimented the staff on the care provided for people. Staff had considered people’s end of life choices and made reference to this in care plans.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service being provided. People’s views of the service were sought through regular meetings and surveys. The registered manager understood their roles and responsibilities as a registered person. They worked in partnership with other agencies to ensure people received care and support that was consistent with their assessed needs.

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

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on our previous rating.

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.