Archived: The Willows

We rated The Willows as requires improvement because:

• There were issues with the reliability and safety of clinic room equipment and supplies including portable appliance testing, calibration of equipment and some supplies being out of date. The provider did not detect these issues through their own monitoring processes.
• There was a restrictive practice relating to patients having section 17 leave suspended if they did not request their medication on time.
• Patient records did not show carer involvement. We previously raised this issue during a Mental Health Act review of the hospital in August 2017. It remained an issue during our inspection.
• There were recording errors on patient capacity forms. The provider did not detect this issue through their own monitoring processes. Staff corrected the error when we raised it with them.
• Staff we spoke to were not confident in the rights and management of informal patients. This did not affect patient care since the hospital had never admitted an informal patient. However, the hospital could accept informal patients. The provider had a protocol for the management of informal patients.
• Not all patients had clear discharge plans.

However,

• The hospital provided safe care. The ward environment was safe and clean. The ward had enough staff. Staff assessed and managed risk well and managed medicines safely.
• Staff developed holistic, recovery-oriented care plans informed by a comprehensive assessment. They provided a range of treatments suitable to the needs of the patients in a mental health rehabilitation ward and in line with national best practice guidance.
• The ward team included or had access to a range of specialists required to meet the needs of patients on the ward. Managers ensured staff received training, supervision and appraisal. The ward staff worked well together as a multidisciplinary team.
• Staff understood and discharged their roles and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity and understood the individual needs of patients.  They actively involved patients in care decisions.