CQC warns Cygnet Health Care Limited that it is failing to protect the safety and welfare of people

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued a formal warning to Cygnet Health Care Limited that it must make urgent improvements to standards of care provided at an independent mental health hospital in Blackheath.

The warning notice follows a review of compliance on Cygnet Wing Blackheath in September 2011 after a compliance action placed on the provider following an unannounced inspection in July 2011 was not met.

Inspectors found that steps had not been taken to ensure that sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff had been employed and made available to people using the service to ensure that personal, therapeutic and safe services were provided.

Colin Hough, Regional Director of CQC in London, said:

"The law says that these are the standards that everyone should be able to expect. Providers have a duty to ensure they are compliant.

“This warning sends a clear and public message that Cygnet Health Care Limited needs to address these issues as a matter of urgency or face serious consequences.

“Our inspectors will return to Cygnet Wing Blackheath in the near future and if we find that the home is not making the required progress we won’t hesitate to use our legal powers to protect the people using the service."

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For further information please contact the CQC press office on 0207 448 9239 or out of hours on 07917 232143.

Notes to editors

The warning notices find that Cygnet Health Care Limited is in breach of:

• Regulation 22 Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2009 (Outcome 13) Staffing

CQC has issued a warning notice which requires the provider to take action to meet the regulatory requirements. If this is not achieved CQC has a range of enforcement powers which include restricting the services that a provider can offer, or, in the most serious cases, suspending or cancelling a service. CQC can also issue financial penalty notices and cautions or prosecute the provider for failing to meet essential standards. Any regulatory decision that CQC takes is open to challenge by a registered person through a variety of internal and external appeal processes.