The Care Quality Commission has rated the Priory Hospital, Roehampton as Requires Improvement overall.
The service is a private hospital in South West London that provides treatment for people with mental health needs, eating disorders and drug and alcohol addictions.
CQC rated the hospital as Inadequate for providing safe care and took enforcement action by issuing a warning notice. This was because the hospital was not providing safe levels of staffing to meet the needs of their patients. CQC rated the hospital Requires Improvement for being responsive and well-led and Good for being effective and caring.
CQC undertook this inspection to find out whether Priory Healthcare Limited had made improvements to its acute wards for adults of working age and specialist eating disorders services since our last comprehensive inspection early in 2016.
When CQC returned to the hospital in October 2016, in addition to concerns about staffing levels, inspectors concluded that the hospital environment, particularly on the acute wards, remained unsafe for patients at risk of suicide or self-harm.
Staff could not easily see all parts of the ward and patients had access to vacant corridors and staff offices where staff would not be able to observe them. The risk was compounded by the presence of fixtures and fittings that patients at risk of suicide could have used as a ligature point. Staff at the hospital had not taken sufficient action to reduce these risks. Although the hospital had introduced ‘safer rooms’ to accommodate patients presenting a heightened level of risk, these were not yet completed to full specification. The Priory had an action plan in place to make improvements to the environment.
Dr Paul Lelliott, Deputy Chief Inspector (Mental Health) said: “When we inspected the Priory Hospital in October 2016, we were very concerned about the safety of patients at risk of suicide or self-harm. The hospital must ensure it can meet the needs of patients they choose to admit whilst improvements to staffing and the environment take place."
“We did however find some improvements and noted that the provider had implemented a pre-admission risk assessment. This included a handover system for ensuring staff noted risks."
“The wards also provided a comprehensive range of psychological therapies, including dialectical behavioural therapy, mindfulness, and family therapy. Occupational therapists and dietitians facilitated activities and discussion groups.”
You can read the report in full on our website.
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