Private hospital rated ‘inadequate’ again amid safety concerns

A privately run mental health hospital put in special measures last year has been rated “inadequate” again following a fresh Care Quality Commission inspection.

Inspectors raised serious concerns about unsafe ward environments and staff not managing patient risks at the Priory Hospital Arnold, which has beds commissioned by Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust.

Inspectors said that while the leadership team was experienced, the registered manager had been in post since April last year and the improvements they had made “had not been fully embedded”.

The registered manager had changed after the service was placed in special measures.

Ligature risks were found in patients’ bathrooms despite the provider making “some progress” and undertaking “substantial work” to remove them, the CQC said.

And in one instance, a patient had tried to harm themselves with a plastic bag which was a restricted item on the ward. 

CQC head of hospital inspection for mental health and community services Craig Howarth said staff “had not followed the patient’s risk assessment” and had not searched the patient on their return from a visit off the ward.

He added: “It was also concerning that despite rotas showing enough staff were available across the hospital, staff gave examples of when a lack of staffing had impacted on patient care and safety.

“Despite the measures in place, the risks to patients were not reduced and there was evidence of incidents of harm to patients.”

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Source: HSJ, 15 March 2022