Background to this inspection
Updated
25 March 2022
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.
We received information of concern about infection prevention and control measures and staffing at this service. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 22 February 2022 and was announced. Unlike our standard approach to inspection, in order to minimise time spent on site, we used technology to review some of the provider's management records. This was undertaken off site following the inspection.
Updated
25 March 2022
About the service:
The Willows is located in Woodthorpe near to the town of Staveley in Derbyshire. The service is registered to provide accommodation for up to 41 older people who require residential and nursing care, including those living with dementia.
People’s experience of using this service:
People were not always supported to follow their interests and take part in activities that were meaningful and socially relevant including accessing the wider community. People and their relatives told us they were bored and there was not enough for them to do. The manager told us they had purchased a wheelchair accessible mini bus that was currently in the process of being adapted. This would increase opportunities for people to go on trips outside the home. The activity coordinator also told us they were going to increase their hours to provide further activities provision.
People continued to receive safe care. Staff had been provided with safeguarding training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report them. There were detailed risk management plans in place to protect and promote people’s safety. The provider followed thorough recruitment practices to ensure staff employed were suitable for their role.
People’s medicines were managed safely and in line with best practice guidelines. Systems were in place to ensure that people were protected by the prevention and control of infection. Accidents and incidents were analysed for lessons learnt and these were shared with the staff team to reduce further re-occurrence.
People’s needs and choices were assessed and their care provided in line with their preferences. Staff received an induction process when they first commenced work at the service and received on-going training to ensure they could provide care based on current practice when supporting people. People received enough to eat and drink and were supported to access health care appointments including opticians and doctors, to make sure they received continuing healthcare to meet their needs.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) were followed.
People continued to receive care from staff who were kind and caring. People were encouraged to make decisions about how their care was provided and their privacy and dignity were protected and promoted. People had developed positive relationships with staff who had a good understanding of their needs and preferences.
People’s needs were assessed and planned for with the involvement of the person and/or their relative where required. Care plans were personalised and provided staff with guidance about how to support people and respect their wishes. Information was made available in accessible formats to help people understand the care and support agreed.
The service continued to be well managed. People and staff were encouraged to provide feedback about the service and it was used to drive improvement. Staff felt well-supported and received supervision that gave them an opportunity to share ideas, and exchange information. Effective systems were in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided through a range of internal checks and audits. The manager was aware of their responsibility to report events that occurred within the service to the CQC and external agencies.
More information is in the Detailed Findings below
Rating at last inspection: Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 27 September 2016).
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service remained rated Good overall.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.