11 February 2019
During a routine inspection
Willow Gardens is a ‘care home’. People in ‘care homes’ receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager in post who was in the process of applying to CQC to become registered. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.
This was an unannounced inspection which took place on 11 and 12 February 2019. The last inspection was in July 2016 when the service was rated as ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘Good’. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
People told us they felt safe living at Willow Gardens. People’s care records contained detailed information about their healthcare needs and risk assessments which helped to keep them safe.
Appropriate arrangements were in place for checking the environment was safe. For example, health and safety audits were completed on a regular basis and accidents and incidents were reported and recorded appropriately.
Medication was managed safely and was administered by staff who were competent to do so. People told us they received their medicines on time.
We found that staff’s suitability to work with vulnerable adults at the service had been checked prior to employment. For instance, previous employer references had been sought and a criminal conviction check undertaken.
People told us they felt staff cared for and supported them well. Staff had received training which equipped them with the knowledge and skills to ensure people received adequate support. Most staff had completed National Vocation Qualifications (NVQs).
Staff sought consent from people before providing support. Staff spoken to understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) to ensure people consented to the care they received. The MCA is legislation which protects the rights of people to make their own decisions.
People were involved in their care and there was evidence in their care records to show that they had been consulted about decisions. Care records contained information about people's preferences in relation to their care. People were referred to external health professionals appropriately, this helped to promote people's well-being.
There was no set daily routine at the service and people had a choice in what activities they participated in each day. We saw evidence that people’s hobbies and interests were recorded and catered for. The service had its own mini bus and people had a say in the places they wished to visit.
Quality assurance processes were in place to seek the views of people using the service and their relatives. People were involved in how the service was run.
We asked people about how they thought the service was managed and their feedback was positive.