CARE ‘GETS WORSE’ AT UNDER-FIRE HOSPITALS

Owners say issues now being addressed

TWO mental health hospitals placed in special measures earlier this year have got worse, inspectors have found.

John Munroe Hospital, in Rudyard, and Edith Shaw Hospital, in Leek, have both been rated ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the second time in six months.

The hospitals, run by the John Munroe Group, were originally placed in special measures for not protecting patients from covid.

Now a follow-up inspection in August has found that while infection control measures had improved, the quality and safety of care had actually deteriorated.

Inspectors found that staff were using ‘unacceptable and disproportionate techniques’, such as physically dragging when faced with challenging behaviour.

Conditions imposed on the hospitals, which remain in special measures, include requiring CQC permission before admitting patients, and requiring reports detailing restraining incidents.

A new inspection is due in six months. If insufficient improvements are made, the CQC will use enforcement powers – which could include the closure of services as a last resort.

Jenny Wilkes, CQC head of inspection for mental health and community health services, said: “Our latest inspection found that the quality and safety of care people received had deteriorated.

“Behind this was a continued lack of oversight from leaders, hindering the service’s ability to improve.”

John Munroe Hospital is a 57-bed site for men and women while Edith Shaw Hospital has 14 beds for women over 55. Both are registered to care for people detained under the Mental Health Act.

Inspectors also found risks such as ligature points had not been adequately assessed.

And while managers had now been employed for each hospital – previously there was one for both sites – senior leaders had not implemented enough policies to monitor the services.

But the inspectors found patients were being offered improved access to advocacy services and there was a better complaints proces.

Paul Birks, operational director at John Munroe Group, says the hospitals are addressing the issues.

He said: “Further improvements have been undertaken along with ongoing training. We have been working closely with the CQC, our host commissioning CCG and all respective clinical commissioning groups since the inspection.

“All CCGS have undertaken safe and well checks of their service users with positive outcomes.

“The safety of all our patients remains our number one priority.”