Mental health services that fail to improve could be shut, says watchdog
Failing mental health services that do not improve, whether run by private firms or the NHS, could be shut, a Care Quality Commission (CQC) chief has said.
It follows the watchdog judging as "inadequate" three child wards at the Priory Group's biggest hospital.
The wards at Cheadle Royal, near Manchester, "did not always provide safe care", the CQC found.
The unannounced inspection of Cheadle Royal took place earlier this year "in response to concerns about safety". BBC News first reported in January three women had died at the hospital last year, although not in the wards inspected for this report.
The CQC's new director of mental health services, Chris Dzikiti, said he was determined to drive up standards in all units and warned he will close services who fail to improve.
Source: BBC News, 31 May 2023