Archived: The Huntercombe Hospital East Yorkshire

Updated 22 April 2015

The Huntercombe Hospital East Yorkshire is situated mid-way between York and Hull

Care was provided to patients in one of the hospital’s three wards:

• Ackroyd ward: an eight bedded, low secure unit for men.
• Burkhill ward: a seven bedded, low secure unit for women.
• Burton ward: an eight bedded, medium secure unit for men.

All were detained under the Mental Health Act.

Services provided are autistic spectrum conditions, learning disabilities, adult mental health medium secure and adult mental health low secure.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has inspected the hospital on previous occasions and found concerns. In September 2013, the hospital was found to be non-compliant in relation to five care regulations. We found the hospital’s non-compliance in relation to the assessment and monitoring of its service was having a major impact on patients. We found the hospital’s non-compliance in relation to meeting care/welfare needs, safeguarding, people from abuse, medicines management and the suitability of premises were having a moderate impact on patients. Regulatory action was taken by the CQC in order to protect patients.

In February 2014 the CQC re-inspected the hospital. This re-inspection was to follow up on the regulatory action taken following the September 2013 inspection and to ensure that the quality and standards of care had improved. the inspection checked that

• Patients would have their medicines at the times they need them, and in a safe way.
• Staff provided patients and those acting on their behalf, with information about the medicine being prescribed.
• Patients are sure that their comments and complaints are listened to and acted on effectively.
• Patients know that they will not be discriminated against for making a complaint.
• Personal records including medical records are accurate, fit for purpose, held securely and remain confidential.
• Other records required to be kept to protect their safety and well-being are maintained and held securely where require.

It was found that further regulatory actions were needed at this time, to improve standards.

Updated 22 April 2015

Overall we found that The Huntercombe Hospital East Yorkshire was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

Patients and staff told us they felt safe in the hospital, there were good care plans, risk assessments and outcome tools being used and patients were fully involved in their care. We found that discharge planning started at the point of admission.

Overall patients spoken with gave positive feedback regarding staff saying they could approach them with any issues they had, and that staff treated them with respect.

All staff groups felt supported by managers and they had access to supervision sessions both group and individual and other peer to peer support.

Staffs understanding of the organisations vision and values were mixed, however clinical governance systems were in place which assisted the provider to monitor and improve the quality of care.

But we also found:

• Staffs’ compliance with mandatory training was poor in some areas, but plans were in place to address this.
• It was not clear how best interests were assessed and recorded and who was involved in determining the patients’ best interests if they lacked capacity to make decisions in these areas.
• Patients stated that they often felt bored and did not enjoy the activities and there wasn’t as much choice as they would have liked.
• We were told that de-briefing occurs after all incidents including episodes of seclusion. However some staff felt that this process was not as robust as it once had been and support could be better for staff following incidents
• As at November 2014, the overall staff sickness among permanent staff was reported as 7.4%, of which three quarters were nursing and care staff.

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