7, 8 and 14 October 2021
During a routine inspection
Cygnet Hospital Blackheath provides psychiatric intensive care and low secure care to men over the age of 18 years.
Our rating of this service improved. We rated it as good because:
The service provided safe care. All patients and staff told us they felt safe. The ward environments were safe and clean. During this inspection, we found the provider had made improvements since our inspections in April 2018 and June 2020.
Medicines were prescribed in accordance with law relating to consent to treatment under the Mental Health Act 1983. Staff managed medicines safely.
The service had improved reflective practice and processes to ensure that learning from incidents, took place.
Managers also ensured that staff received regular clinical and managerial supervision which supported them in their role. Staff told us they were able to speak up and raise any concerns they had.
The wards had enough nurses and doctors to deliver safe and care to patients.
Staff minimised the use of restrictive practices and used restraint as a last resort.
Staff followed good practice with respect to safeguarding and had improved processes to ensure learning from safeguarding took place.
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 and in line with national guidance about best practice. Staff engaged in clinical audit to evaluate the quality of care they provided, action plans were developed to make improvements.
The ward teams included or had access to the full range of specialists required to meet the needs of patients on the wards. Managers ensured that these staff received training, supervision and appraisal. The ward staff worked well together as a multidisciplinary team and with those outside the service who would have a role in providing aftercare.
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 and families and carers in care decisions.
Since the last inspection there were improvements to the culture of the hospital. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They could raise any concerns without fear and reported that their concerns were taken seriously.
Staff were provided with opportunities for development and career progression. Staff reported they were positive and proud to work for the provider.
Governance processes operated effectively and performance and risk were managed well.
However:
Not all patients on Tyler ward had a copy of their care plan.
Planned activities for evenings and weekends did not always take place on Tyler ward.