The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated two Staffordshire independent mental health hospitals Inadequate and placed them in special measures, after it found they had not protected people from COVID-19.
CQC inspected John Munroe Hospital, Rudyard, and Edith Shaw Hospital, Leek, in January.
The hospitals, run by the John Munroe Group, were previously rated Good. They accommodate up to 71 adults with long-term mental health needs.
The inspections were prompted by information received by CQC about infection prevention and control practice at the services, and COVID-19 outbreaks
Inspectors found the hospitals’ measures to protect people from COVID-19 were insufficient. Staff were not supported to use personal protective equipment (PPE) in line with national guidance, and there were lapses in basic hygiene.
Inspectors also found policies and processes – covering safeguarding, medicines management and administration of patient records – were not fully developed, understood or embedded.
However, staff treated patients with compassion and respect.
Leaders had also engaged with relevant agencies to address infection prevention and control failings, and they were acting to improve the hospitals’ management during the inspection.
Dr Kevin Cleary, CQC deputy chief inspector of hospitals and lead for mental health, said:
“The safety of patients and staff at John Munroe Hospital and Edith Shaw Hospital was endangered by a lack of effective infection prevention and control measures.
“The services had not always identified and embedded learnings after things had had gone wrong, meaning avoidable problems had occurred. This stemmed from a lack of oversight from senior leaders.
“However, I am pleased that the John Munroe Group has now taken steps to protect people from COVID-19 and improve its management of the services.
“We are monitoring the hospitals closely and will take further action to protect people if we are not assured care is being delivered safely.”
If there is insufficient improvement, CQC will further use its enforcement powers to protect patients from the risk of harm and hold the services’ leaders to account.
Following the inspections, CQC told the John Munroe Group that it must make several improvements at the hospitals, including:
- Engaging patients in decision making to ensure care and treatment meets their needs and preferences
- Complying with National Institute of Care and Excellence guidelines
- Investigating and proportionately actioning complaints
- Establishing a clear process for staff to raise concerns
- Ensuring systems and processes are established and used to prevent abuse and investigate allegations promptly
- Using effective processes to assess, monitor and improve quality and safety
- Complying with the General Data Protection Regulation
- Implementing required infection prevention and control measures
- Managing medicines properly
- Ensuring all premises and equipment are clean and suitable
- Promoting a culture that encourages candour at all levels.
The reports will be published on the following pages:
John Munroe Hospital - Rudyard
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Read the reports on John Munroe Hospital - Rudyard and Edith Shaw Hospital