The Care Quality Commission
  • Mental Health
  • NHS mental health service

Archived: Basildon Mental Health Unit

Nethermayne, Basildon, Essex, SS16 5NL 0300 123 0808

Provided and run by:
South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Important: This service is now managed by a different provider - see new profile

All Inspections

Other CQC inspections of services

Community & mental health inspection reports for Basildon Mental Health Unit can be found at South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. Each report covers findings for one service across multiple locations
Read inspection report

30, 31 January 2014

During a routine inspection

The inspection team of six was made up of a variety of professions, experience and skill specific to inspect this service. We spoke with 13 people who used the service, one relative, examined 24 care and treatment records, and spoke with 18 members of staff.

Overall people using the service were satisfied and felt the service met their needs. One person said, 'My recovery has not been easy, but I am now feeling positive about the future'. Someone else said, 'The staff are ok, and they do their best'. One person told us that they had got to know the staff well, and that they, 'Did their jobs well and worked very hard'.

We found a staff group that on the whole were caring and dedicated to what they did. Some staff we met were passionate about good care for people. Staffing was maintained, but there was regular reliance on bank staff and to a lesser degree agency to achieve this on Hadleigh ward in particular. We found that staff upheld principles of privacy and dignity for people and sought consent where appropriate before giving care and treatment.

Three wards were responsive to people's needs, but Hadleigh the psychiatric intensive care unit needed to be more responsive to people's needs. This was particularly in relation to the maintenance of records as this had potential to impact upon the care, welfare and safety of people on that ward.

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

We found that the care planning processes and documentation had been reviewed and improved to ensure that care plans clearly reflected people's individual care and support needs. We found that the plans were contributed to by the multi-disciplinary care team and the patient themselves.

17 March 2011

During a routine inspection

We visited Basildon Mental Health Unit in March 2011. This report reflects improvements the trust has made in response to our findings, due to a delay in publication of the report.

During our visits to Basildon Mental Health Unit we used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of patients. We spoke with eleven patients receiving

care and treatment on Hadleigh ward and the Assessment unit. We looked at records, including personal care plans. We spoke to the managers and staff who were supporting patients, and we observed how they provided that support.

Hadleigh ward provided services to patients who were detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, and who needed a period of intensive care and treatment, usually in a secure environment.

The Assessment Unit provided short term assessment and referral options to patients, as an alternative to a direct admission to an acute care ward. The maximum stay in this unit was five days, and the assessment process looked at the best ways to provide longer term support to the patient.

Patients were generally appreciative of their care and treatment and in most cases had an understanding of their plans for eventual 'move-on'. They all told us they were given time to talk at the clinical meetings and felt they were listened to. Some patients who were detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, told us they were not fully informed about all aspects of their rights. For example, one patient said no one had explained their rights to them, and they were unaware of advocacy services although open advocacy meetings were held. Another patient said that they had received an explanation about the section that they were detained under, but were not aware of their rights, and that they did not have an advocate.

The patients with whom we spoke were unclear as to their involvement in the development of their care plan and said that they had not been given a copy of their care plan or Care Programme Approach. Some said they had not signed anything.

Everybody told us about various occupational therapy (OT) activities they had attended and enjoyed which included painting, making cards, art work, baking, pampering and keep fit. Patients told us that staff were approachable, helpful and supportive. They said that staff were always quick to intervene and address areas of concern. Comments included "Staff are pleasant and reasonable" and " They are all fantastic". One patient told us "It has been a battle for me but staff have shown nothing but help and kindness" and another patient told us "I feel happy here in the shelter of this place."

One patient told us "There is no OT room; we have to use the dining room so meal

times impinge on our sessions. I find it difficult that there is not a quiet room, I can't get

access to the female quiet room and there is also no family room to see my children."