CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Willowcroft
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- Inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures were safe. They also recorded that the provider had measures to reduce the risks linked to COVID-19 staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2022
Willowcroft was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and safe arrangements during a COVID-19 outbreak.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 10 February 2022. It looked mainly at infection prevention and control during a COVID-19 outbreak, and at whether staffing pressures were affecting care.
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic. They were assured that visitors, new admissions, PPE, testing, social distancing and outbreak management were handled safely. The home also used technology and a visiting pod to help people stay in contact with relatives.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a quality rating for the service overall, or a rated judgement for most of the five areas of care.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had effective arrangements to prevent and manage infections, including the use of PPE, testing and cleaning.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Clean environment
The home was clean and hygienic, with regular cleaning and extra attention to frequently touched surfaces.
“Staff carried out regular cleaning which was clearly defined and documented.” from the report
Contact with relatives
The home provided ways for people to keep in touch with relatives during visiting restrictions, including technology and a protective visiting pod.
“During the outbreak of COVID-19 there were restrictions on visiting the service which were in line with current government guidance.” from the report
Safe admissions
Inspectors found processes for admitting new people safely and for assessing the effect of isolation on their wellbeing.
“The provider had processes in place that ensured the safe admission of new people to the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What measures are now in place to manage staffing pressures, and did those pressures affect people's care?
- 02How are visitors currently tested, asked to use PPE and supported to see their relatives safely?
- 03How do you assess and reduce the effect of isolation on a new resident's wellbeing?
- 04How often are high-touch areas such as door handles and handrails cleaned and recorded?
- 05What full inspection or quality ratings are currently available for care, staffing, medicines and management?
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; it did not rate the service overall or assess the other key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 February 2022 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Willowcroft was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection control measures were being followed.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 3 December 2020. It followed concerns about infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inspectors found screening, temperature checks, hand washing and hand gel for visitors. There was a protected visiting pod, enhanced cleaning, regular testing and suitable use of protective equipment.
Staff worked in separate units, changed uniforms at work and did not work in other care settings. Inspectors said they were assured that the home was following safe infection prevention and control procedures.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection checked specific infection control arrangements rather than giving an overall quality rating.
Infection control
Inspectors were assured that the home had safe infection prevention and control procedures. This included cleaning touch points and keeping its policy up to date.
“We were assured the service were following safe infection prevention and control procedures to keep people safe.” from the report
Visitors and contact
Visitors had screening checks and could use a protected visiting pod without walking through the home. People could also keep in touch by video and telephone.
“A pod was in place to enable visitors to see their relatives through a protective screen.” from the report
Staff arrangements
Staff worked in separate units and did not work in other care settings. Inspectors said this reduced the risk of infection spreading.
“Staff employed by the service did not work in any other care setting.” from the report
Testing and protective equipment
People and staff had regular COVID-19 testing, and staff had extra infection control training. Inspectors observed staff using PPE correctly.
“Staff were observed wearing PPE appropriately.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your infection prevention and control arrangements changed since the December 2020 inspection?
- 02Do staff still work in only one unit and avoid working in other care settings?
- 03What testing and risk assessment arrangements apply if agency staff are needed?
- 04How can relatives visit now, and what alternatives are available if in-person visits are restricted?
- 05What action would you take if an infection outbreak occurred in the home?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control measures only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other key areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 December 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Willowcroft
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2016Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2015Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 25 April 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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78 live-in carers within about an hour of Derby
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 62 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“We particularly appreciate the companionship Dawn gives in the evenings when she plays cards and Scrabble with my mother.”
“Rachel is a quietly spoken, extremely caring person and looked after Val very well.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.