Background to this inspection
Updated
27 January 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.
As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had 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 19 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection.
Updated
27 January 2022
About the service
The Willow is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 11 people aged 65 and over. At the time of the inspection 11 people were living at the home.
The care home is located in a large detached house, within a residential area of the small town of Chesham, Buckinghamshire. People had access to three seated areas on the ground floor and extensive well-maintained garden.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People benefited from a service which was exceptionally person-centred, individualised and responsive. People were valued as individuals and encouraged to maintain a role in society and take part in local community events. The registered manager had forged many links with local services and had developed a local club called ‘The Willow Club’. There was an emphasis on reducing social isolation and increasing integration.
People and their relatives told us the service was well-led. The provider had policies and procedures in place. However, they did not always reflect best practice guidelines. We have made a recommendation about this in the report.
People were supported by staff who routinely promoted privacy and dignity. Staff had a good understanding of people, their likes and dislikes.
People were supported by staff who had a good knowledge of how to protect them from abuse and harm. People were encouraged to live as they wanted to. Staff encouraged independence in people.
People who required end life care were supported by staff who demonstrated kindness, compassion and supported the person’s family.
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.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 21 March 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the 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.