The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has welcomed improvements made at an east London hospital but warned further work was required to ensure patient safety and wellbeing.
In its latest inspection, the regulator rated Cygnet Hospital Beckton as requiring improvement overall, noting it required improvement for being safe and responsive to people’s needs, but was found to be good for being effective, caring and well-led.
The CQC said Cygnet had addressed some of the issues previously raised, but further improvement was needed to meet standards people should be able to expect.
The unannounced inspection was carried out to determine whether the hospital had made progress following its previous inspection in March, which led to it being rated inadequate and placed in special measures.
The hosptal cares for women with complex mental health needs, learning disabilities and personality disorders – including those who have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, and had 38 patients at the time of inspection.
What inspectors found
In this latest inspection, CQC inspectors found one of the ward areas was institutional and unsupportive of people’s sensory needs and preferences. Inspectors also found that while these areas were clean and well-maintained, they were austere and noisy.
The inspection also found some staff observed patients at intervals deemed to be too predictable meaning patients at risk of self-harming could anticipate when they would be observed, putting their safety at risk.
However, inspectors did note improvements at the service and some exceptional practice. Staff were found to have interacted with patients respectfully and the hospital’s excellent oversight of people’s physical needs supported them to enjoy better physical health.
Following the inspection, the hospital remains in special measures to ensure it continues its improvement and the CQC warned that if insufficient improvement is made, it will use its enforcement powers further to protect patients from the risk of harm and hold the service’s leaders to account.
The service remains in special measures to help it sustain its progress and ensure patient safety.
Falling short of standards
CQC deputy chief inspector for people with a learning disability and autistic people Debbie Ivanova, said: “Our latest inspection, in May, found the hospital was still falling short of standards people have a right to expect, including regarding how its physical environment supported people’s needs.
“Issues were also identified with the frequency of which staff undertook patient observations.
“However, there was significant improvement compared to our previous inspection. Staff treated people with compassion and respect, and they put an exceptional focus on meeting people’s physical health needs.
“Staff had also reduced the hospital’s use of restraint through training and efforts to diffuse situations before people became a danger to themselves or others.”
More work to do
In response, a spokesperson for Cygnet Hospital Beckton said: “Today’s CQC report reflects the many positive improvements we have made in recent months and we are pleased that the CQC highlights that our staff treated people with compassion and respect, and the exceptional focus we place on meeting people’s physical health needs, exceeding those recommended in best practice guidance, to ensure patients lead healthier lives. The hospital is rated as good for being effective, caring and well-led.
“Extensive changes have had a measurable impact, with the CQC acknowledging that patients’ care plans were person-centred and holistic and addressed all of the patients’ identified needs. The inspectors also saw CCTV showing that staff spent considerable time attempting to diffuse incidents without use of restraint.
“While we recognise there is more work to do, the CQC inspectors have highlighted that our local leadership team had the knowledge, skills and experience to drive improvements in safety and quality, and there was a strong focus on learning from incidents.
“We continue to work closely and collaboratively with the CQC and look forward to being able to demonstrate our continued progress at future inspections.”
