The Willows Care Home

Heathercroft, Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5EG
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9.6 128 Reviews
  • The Willows Care Home, Milton Keynes
The Willows Care Centre is located in Great Linford which is a village with the Grand Union Canal running through its centre just a few miles from central Milton Keynes.

Set in spacious, peaceful grounds the home has en-suite rooms and extensive communal areas and provides the highest standards of care and accommodation for people with residential, dementia, nursing or palliative care needs.

The Willows makes the most of the diverse local amenities. A short walk from the home there is a local centre which has shopping opportunities, eateries and a coffee shop. Two public houses offering food and refreshments are also within walking distance. The local duck pond is only a stone’s throw away form the home and provides a tranquil setting to watch the local wild life.

The Willows has lounge and dining areas with kitchenettes on each floor where meals are provided by a chef and their team who can cater for all specialist diets.

In addition, there are numerous quiet areas around the home, a conservatory and a hairdressing salon. There is also a large enclosed garden which is accessible to wheelchair users.

Reminiscence is key to wellbeing and The Willows has three reminiscence shops within the grounds to take the people living there on a trip down memory lane. The dynamic and engaging activities team provide wide and varied opportunities for social engagement tailored to the choices of the individual.

Due to the peaceful setting of the home it is difficult to imagine it is so close to the centre of a busy city. There is good public transport links to the home with a bus stop just outside the main gates.

A warm welcome awaits anyone at any time of day with no visiting restrictions, young and old alike the more the merrier.

Care Provided by The Willows Care Home

  • Type of Service
  • Nursing Home
  • Privately Owned
  • For a maximum of 130 Service Users
  • Primary Care Categories
  • Dementia
  • Older Person Care
  • Physical Disability
  • Respite Care
  • Sensory Impairment
  • Care Offered
  • Alzheimer's
  • Other Care Provided
  • Own GP if required
  • Palliative Care
  • Separate Specialist Dementia Care Unit

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Sahr Mosery (Home Manager)
  • Admission Criteria
    • Ages 60+
  • Room Information
    • Single Rooms (130)
  • Care Home Design/Build
    • Purpose Built: Yes

Funding & Fees Guide for The Willows Care Home

  • Weekly Charges per Person
    • RESPITE Self-Funded Nursing Care from £1,450
  • (these prices are only a guideline, please contact The Willows Care Home to find out the exact price for your requirements)

Facilities

  • Close to Local shops
  • Gardens
  • Lift
  • Near Public Transport
  • Own Furniture if required
  • Pet Friendly (or by arrangement)
  • Phone Point in own room
  • Residents Kitchenette
  • Television point in own room
  • Wheelchair Access
  • Visiting
  • Visitors welcome at any time.


  • Parking
  • On site parking for visitors.


Total of 128, showing 21-40
9.6

The Willows Care Home has a Review Score of 9.6 (9.644) out of 10, based on 47 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time The Willows Care Home has 128 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 98
  • 25
  • 2
  • 1
  • 2

Date Published

128
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23
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would like to thank all of the staff at the Willows Care Home for making my mother's 104th birthday such a very special day, today. Mother is on Poppy Ward and she has been there for the past 2 years. She has been very well looked after and cared for by the staff at the Willows.
The home today (31/05/2024)
has presented her with a signed card by the staff. The activities team have decorated her room with birthday banners and also balloons with 104, gifts and a beautiful bouquet of flowers, also the kitchen staff baked a fantastic cake for her special day that Mum was able to share with her family. I would like to say that the kindness and care that she has received is second to none. We as a family would like to say a very big thank you to all of you at the home for making her life there so good and as she often tells me she couldn't be happier. Thank you all.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. It is our absolute honour to take care of Mum and so pleased you all enjoyed the birthday celebrations. I will ensure your kind words are passed on to our team.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My father has been in The Willows this month for respite. I was a little apprehensive at first as he likes his own home but we needed to see if he would like it for future plans. When we arrived, we were made to feel very welcome. The room was freshly decorated and really nice. When we returned to call
Dad, he didn't want to leave. He said the food was amazing (plenty of it). The staff were great, very clean, what a surprise we had. We are hoping to get a permanent place for him now. He hasn't stopped talking about what he did, entertainment he had, the food, his room. We hope to get back permanently very soon.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Many thanks for your kind review, it is so lovely to hear that Dad enjoyed his stay with us. We would welcome him back with open arms. I will ensure to pass on your comments to our wonderful team. Many thanks again.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I visited a friend for the first time in this care home.
I thought that the building looked really nice on the outside.
The entrance looked well looked after and I had to ring a bell to get in, which I thought was very good.
Once inside it looked like a hotel lobby, which really impressed me.
There
was no horrible smell which I have experienced in other care homes.
The receptionist was very welcoming.
I had to sign in via a computer screen.
The receptionist explained perfectly where I had to go.
Once I got into my friend's room, a male employee came in and said hello and joked with my friend, which she loved.
I asked for a vase and he took me to another employee, who then sorted it out for me, while I went back to my friend's room.
When she came in with a vase she offered me a drink.
The staff seemed very friendly and helpful.
My friend's room looked lovely.
When I left a staff had to put in a code for the lift.
I think the security is great.
My friend seemed well looked after & very happy

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your recent experience at our care home. We were truly delighted to read your thoughtful and positive review, and we sincerely appreciate your valuable feedback. Our team works hard to ensure that all visitors feel welcome and supported from the moment they arrive. Providing compassionate and attentive care to our residents is at the heart of everything we do, so it is incredibly rewarding to receive such positive feedback from visitors like yourself. Many thanks.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Mum has now been at The Willows for well over a month now and it is remarkable how well she has adjusted to her home. This is all down to the wonderful team looking after her, they are so loving and caring towards Mum and communicate with us as a family every time we visit. They always inform me how
Mum has been and if there are any concerns, they always discuss them with me. Thank you everyone at The Willows for the incredible way you are and for looking after Mum so well.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Many thanks for your wonderful review. It's lovely to hear how settled your mum is, and effective communication is key to us. I will ensure to pass on your positive comments to our team members. Thank you again.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have just been here at The Willows Care Home for one week. How I have spent the last eight weeks in the hospital after an operation on my left elbow.
I am delighted to be here with the great and pleasant staff and helpful management.
My bed is very comfy and I enjoy my shower every day - your nurses
are so polite, courteous, friendly and helpful. I am so very grateful. Thank you.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you so much for your lovely review; it is our absolute pleasure to be able to care for you. If there is anything you need please just let us know.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I want to say a great big thank you to the kitchen staff especially, as it was my brother's 80 birthday on Saturday 30th March and they made him a fantastic cake. We were all so pleased and the cake was absolutely delicious. Thank you so much. Made the day even better for us all. It was even better
than shop shop-bought ones we have had in the past.
I would also like to mention the care staff who are absolutely wonderful. They are so lovely and take care of all the residents with a smile too. I have seen how caring and gentle they are with the residents. It’s a happy place and the regular entertainment and activities are fabulous. One of the staff members is a treasure and her assistants are so good that they all join in the fun.
We as a family are happy with the care at the Willows.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you so much for your kind review. I will certainly pass on your kind words to all of our team members, and if there is anything else we can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you again.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All the staff are fantastic, I feel I'm looked after. The food is great, and the carers are lovely.

Reply from Celia Hardill, Regional Director (Milton Keynes) at The Willows Care Home

Thank you for your great review of The Willows. It is so lovely to hear you are happy in the home. Kind regards.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The team at Willows Care Home have been fantastic! The care my dad is getting has been outstanding. throughout this process, I have had many questions, and the team have been able to not only answer them all, they have provided insight, care and reassurance! I cannot speak highly enough of my family's
experience. Thank you.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you so much for your kind review. To be able to reassure you is our utmost pleasure and so very pleased you have left filled with the confidence of leaving Dad with us. Thank you again, and hope you had a good journey home.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mother-in-law was a resident at The Willows for 4 years, during her time there, she was treated with love, kindness and dignity. The staff supported her during COVID and became her family when her own family couldn't visit.
We are extremely grateful for everything the home has done for my mother-in-law.
Thank you all very much.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

It was our absolute pleasure to look after your mother-in-law, and thank you so much for your kind review. I will be sure to relay this to our team members. Thank you again.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We put my mother in temporary care whilst we were on holiday. From day 1 till the end, my mother was looked after very well. Cannot fault the staff in any way. They went beyond and above their normal duties.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Many thanks for your kind review, your feedback means a lot to us. We're delighted to hear your mum had such a lovely stay and I will ensure your comments are shared with our team members. Thank you again and please do not hesitate to contact us, should you need anything.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Having spent 2 weeks a The Willows, the resident person was a much calmer lady. On visiting she was talkative and when leaving she was quite in control and didn't mind us going. Evening visitors were met with a wait of 5 to 10 minutes before a member of staff was passing to let us in. Security was ok
during the day.
Overall, if they had a permanent room think anyone would be looked after very well.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you for your review. Its lovely to hear your mum had a positive stay with us and thank you for bringing to our attention the wait you had in the evening, which we have discussed with our team members. If you need anything else please do not hesitate to contact me. Many thanks.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am very pleased with how mum is being cared for. She is well-fed and always kept clean and tidy. The staff are very well organised. I find the care home is very well run and organised. Best pleased and very impressed by any medical issues which are dealt with quickly. I especially like how mum is
involved in all the activities and how encouraging the staff are to include mum.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a warm review. I will ensure your comments are passed on to our team members. Activities are a big part of our home, and we always try to encourage participation. Thank you


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My mother came to you after a spell in hospital after a fall. At 100 years old, the hospital more or less said she would not walk again. After six weeks with you, she is walking well with a frame - thanks.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you for your review, that's so good to hear of her progress with us. The well-being of the people who live here is our priority and to hear this is very satisfactory.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My mum has been staying at The Willows Care Home for a few weeks now. She has settled in so well and is so happy! The carers are so kind and helpful and Mum has a great relationship with them. She has fun and really enjoys the activities. The staff and managers are so helpful and are always there to
listen and support you. It has a lovely, calm, homely feel and when I visit, it feels like home from home! It makes me so happy to see my mum happy and very much settled. I can't thank the staff enough for all their help and support looking after Mum!

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Many thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. It's lovely to hear she is so happy and settled here. I will pass your comments on to our team. Thank you.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a bright and cheerful environment with pleasant staff. My aunt was warm and comfortable. Her room is pleasant with a view of the garden. There were several patient notes on the walls noting how my aunt should be addressed and what her personal needs are. I felt that she is in a comfortable and
caring environment.

Reply from Celia Hardill, Regional Director (Milton Keynes) at The Willows Care Home

Thank you for your kind response to the Willows and we are happy to hear that things are going well for your aunt and being well looked after. If you need anything please let me know. Take care Celia.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely, friendly care home with a great team.
The room that my mum had was spacious and airy. She was able to take whatever she wanted to make it more personal.
She was a very private person who didn't take advantage of the countless activities that they have on offer.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you for your review; we always enjoy seeing people's rooms made personal; and we understand although activities are available, it is
totally a personal choice.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

After visiting my great aunt on several occasions, my family and I have been left very satisfied. She is well taken care of with all of her requirements being met and exceeded. The staff are very helpful, polite and professional. The care home is very clean and tidy throughout too.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Many thanks for sharing your experience with us. Reviews are always welcome and it's very warming to hear that you are very satisfied with our home.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5

This Home should be shut down. My Husband went there in April for respite. He has vascular Dementia and is Insulin-dependent. Beginning of the stay he fell out of bed. He wasn't checked enough 2 hours before he was and was found unconscious. An ambulance was called his blood sugars went down to one.
My daughter arrived to find this going on. He was taken to hospital luckily he was okay.
They have a Dementia area which was upstairs he wasn't put there I was told that's for permanent residents. My Husband was put on the ground floor with all bed-bound residents. We contacted CQC and put a safeguarding on. Also, paramedics said they would report it! And they are still allowed to carry on as normal. So if you care for your loved ones, don't send them there.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

We appreciate your feedback regarding your husband's stay at our care home. The safety and well-being of the people who live here is our top priority, and we take all incidents seriously. We acknowledge that a comprehensive investigation was conducted when you initially expressed your concerns, and the results of this investigation were provided to you on 16th May 2023.

Our team is wholeheartedly committed to continually enhancing our services and ensuring the highest quality of care, and for this reason, we've had numerous respite stays that transitioned into permanent arrangements at The Willows. If you would like to discuss this matter further, we welcome you to contact our leadership team directly who will be happy to meet with you.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had an excellent respite stay at the Willows Care Home. There is little I can fault. All the staff nurses, carers etc have not faultered on looking after me, keeping me safe and made feel like part of the family. I only wish I could have stayed a little longer.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Many thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely review; we are so happy to hear you enjoyed your stay with us. Your comments will be shared with all our team members who will be most grateful. Thank you


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 2.0 out of 5

Not qualified to look after ill patients, they seem short staffed and too many patients. Seems they put you in a bed and leave you. I turn up, my mum's awake, television off, meal times feeding her large spoons. I told them small portions, didn't even listen. Not checking if you are drinking regularly,
drinking shakes, drinks just left on the side, no communication either.

Reply from Gale Hills, Business Manager at The Willows Care Home

Thank you for your review. We take your concerns very seriously, as it is our utmost priority to ensure the well-being and satisfaction of the people who live or stay at The Willows and their families.
We genuinely regret any inconveniences or discomfort your family may have experienced during your mother's time with us. Please know that we are committed to providing the best possible care and continuously strive to improve our services.
To address your concerns, we have written to you requesting a meeting with our Regional Director who is well-equipped to discuss, investigate, and improve on any issues you may have encountered during your mother's stay.
Our objective is to create a positive and supportive environment for people and their families, and your feedback is invaluable in achieving this. We assure you that any grievances you bring to our attention will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.


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Current Review Score: 9.6 (9.644)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.6 (9.644) out of 10 for The Willows Care Home is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 47 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 44 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Care Home is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.644 for The Willows Care Home is calculated as follows: ( (432 Excellents x 5) + (83 Goods x 4) + (13 Satisfactorys x 3) + (5 Poors x 2) + (18 Very Poors x 1) ) ÷ 551 Ratings = 4.644

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Willows Care Home is based on 44 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the registered maximum number of service users in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Care Home registered for a maximum of 50 service users has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 130 registered maximum number of service users is 26, which has been reached with 44 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Care Home does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Performance

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Rating

Date: 30 Dec 2024

Overall
Good

  • Caring

    Requires improvement
  • Effective

    Good
  • Responsive

    Good
  • Safe

    Good
  • Well-led

    Good

Care Quality Commission is responsible for the registration and inspection of social care services in England.

View Latest Report

Bed Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (8)

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Meet the Team (4)

Sahr

Sahr Moseray

Job Title: Home Manager

Joined: 2022

Sahr join The Willows Care Home in October 2022 as a Home Manager. He has worked in the care sector for over 18 years and held various roles from carer to Home Manager; he brings with him a wealth of knowledge of caring for older people.


Sahr is passionate about delivering a high standard of person-centred care and transformational leadership. Sahr has completed Level 7 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management, Level 4 NVQ in Leadership and Management for Care Services and Level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care.


Sahr’s primary responsibilities include managing day to day smooth running of the home. Supervising and motivating team members to deliver high-quality services and ensuring the needs and aspirations of people who use the services are being met.


Justyna

Justyna Blajerska

Job Title: Operations Support Manager

Joined: 2022

Justyna joined Excelcare in October 2022 in the role of Residential Manager.


She is responsible for leading and managing the residential unit and Lavender lodge on all aspects of day-to-day business deliverables, including performance monitoring in relation to quality and best outcome for people who live in the home.


She has recently become our Operations Support Manager.


Gale

Gale Hills

Job Title: Business Manager

Joined: 2010

Gale has been with Excelcare for 14 years, appointed as Regional Administration Manager.


Gale was promoted to Business Manager in 2022. She is responsible for developing and engaging with team members to include Admin, Care, Domestic, Laundry and Catering services to the Home.


Suzanne

Suzanne Bennett

Job Title: Home Administrator

Joined: 2023

Suzanne joined Excelcare in 2023.
She works closely with the management team, receptionist to ensure the smooth running of administration within the home and help to ensure high standards are maintained throughout the home.