- Independent mental health service
Cheswold Park Hospital
Report from 15 November 2024 assessment
Contents
Ratings - Forensic inpatient or secure wards
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 28 May to 07 June 2024 Cheswold Park Hospital provides 2 medium secure wards, 1 for males and 1 for females and 5 low secure wards for males including a ward for males with a diagnosis of autism. We assessed 9 quality statements from the safe, effective, caring, and responsive key questions and found areas of good practice. This service has been in Special Measures since 15 December 2023. The scores for these areas have been combined with scores based on the key question ratings from the last inspection. The assessment of these 9 quality statements indicated areas of good practice since the last inspection, therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures although the overall rating remains inadequate. The service had improved. Staff assessed and mitigated risks well, care plans guided safe practice and safeguarding concerns were reported and investigated. People were now supported to have choice and control and were involved in planning their care. The provider now had enough staff to ensure people’s safety within a safe environment and meet their needs, however, there was still a high turnover of staff. There were still some concerns expressed by patients and relatives regarding staff lacking mental health knowledge and cancelled Section 17 leave and activities due to staffing.
People's experience of this service
Patients we spoke with were positive about the quality of their care and treatment. They felt they were kept up to date with plans regarding discharge and transfer, they felt safe and cared for and comfortable to raise any issues with staff or hospital management. Patients told us that they felt involved in their care and had regular opportunities to meet with their responsible clinician and named nurse. They were supported to maintain contact with family, friends, and carers. Patients told us that there was activity and engagement available during weekdays. Patients also told us they were regularly informed of their rights and had support from advocacy services. Some patients told us that leave from the hospital grounds and activities were sometimes cancelled due to staffing. We received feedback from 5 relatives and 4 were positive about the hospital and staff and they told us over the last 6 months there had been increased involvement with families and increased events in the hospital environment which families were invited to.