Willow Tree Lodge

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

Safe – this means we looked for evidence that people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. At our last assessment we rated this key question as good. At this assessment the rating has remained as good. This meant people were safe and protected from avoidable harm.

This service scored 72 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider had a proactive and positive culture of safety, based on openness and honesty. Staff listened to concerns about safety and investigated and reported safety events. Lessons were learnt to continually identify and embed good practice.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

The provider worked with people and healthcare partners to understand what being safe meant to them and the best way to achieve that. Staff concentrated on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. The provider shared concerns quickly and appropriately.

The provider did not always work well with people to understand and manage risks. Risk assessments identified known risks but did not always clearly set out how staff should respond. For example, guidance did not specify the action staff should take if a person removed their seatbelt while travelling or concealed potentially harmful items when shopping. Information was sometimes repetitive, unclear or open to interpretation, which could lead to staff responding differently and reduced assurance that identified risks were managed consistently. However, staff knew people well and could describe how to support them safely. We observed staff respond positively when a person became anxious and upset, and relatives confirmed they were involved in care planning.

The provider detected and controlled potential risks in the care environment. They made sure equipment and facilities supported the delivery of safe care.

The provider made sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff, who received effective support, supervision and development. They worked together well to provide safe care that met people’s individual needs.

We did not look at Infection prevention and control during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Medicines were stored securely; stock balances were accurate and staff understood people’s medicines and support needs. However, some medicines records and ‘when required’ protocols needed greater clarity and consistency. The provider had identified these issues through its internal governance processes and steps were being taken to address these.