Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission have placed a hospital for young people in High Wycombe into special measures.
The Priory Hospital High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire was rated Inadequate overall following an inspection in December 2018.
The hospital was rated Inadequate for being safe, effective and well-led. Requires Improvement for being caring and responsive.
Priory Hospital High Wycombe is a low secure hospital for young people aged 13-17 with a diagnosis of learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder.
Pauline Cartpenter, Head of Hospital Inspection (and lead for mental health), said:
“Our inspection has identified a number of serious problems concerning patient safety and the quality of care that needed immediate attention.
“It was a matter of some concern that, at a specialist unit, some of the staff could not demonstrate the knowledge or specialist skills needed to care for teenagers who had learning disabilities or autism.
“Following the inspection the Priory Group has decided to transfer the young people who were being treated there and have applied to de-register the hospital. In line with our policy the unit will remain in special measures until such time that the registration is cancelled ”
Inspectors had found the hospital was not properly equipped to care for the young people with complex needs who had been admitted. Care plans were not specific or centred on recovery. Young people using the services did not have positive behaviour support plans in place or have access to any psychological therapies.
The layout of the ward was disorientating and noisy, with an environment that was not suited for young people with autism.
In the female section of the ward, the doors between bedrooms and communal areas were kept locked without any clear reason. This meant that young women using the lounge had to ask staff if they wanted to leave the area, get a drink of water or use the toilet which took away their independence.
Inspectors found most of the staff working at the service did not have any experience working with people with learning disabilities or autism or received any essential specialist training. Communication aids that could have been used to make communication easier with young people with learning disabilities were not being used.
Relatives felt communication at the hospital was poor. Regular community meetings did not take place and there were limited opportunities for young people and their relatives to give feedback to staff.
Patient leave was often cancelled due to a lack of staff, especially at weekends. Young people were routinely searched on admission and on return from leave rather than this being based on their individual needs. Staff had not completed training in how to carry out searches.
You can read the report in full when it is published on the CQC website at: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-5076199630
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