‘Safety of patients was endangered’ at two hospitals for mental health
• John Munroe and Edith Shaw in special measures • Whistleblower raised concerns after covid deaths
TWO private mental health hospitals have been branded ‘inadequate’ and placed in special measures - after they failed to protect people from coronavirus.
The Care Quality Commission carried out unannounced inspections at John Munroe Hospital, in Rudyard, and Edith Shaw Hospital, in Leek, following a “significant outbreak” of Covid-19 in December and a number of deaths.
Whistleblowers had raised concerns about poor infection prevention and control practices at the hospitals, both run by the John Munroe Group.
Inspectors found the hospitals’ measures to protect people from Covid-19 were “insufficient”, with lapses in basic hygiene and a failure to support staff to use personal protective equipment correctly.
They also found policies and processes - covering safeguarding, medicines management and administration of patient records - were not fully developed, understood or embedded.
But staff treated patients with compassion and respect, and managers were engaging with the authorities to address the infection control failings.
The hospitals have now been ordered to carry out a raft of improvements to bring them in line with legal requirements.
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.”
At John Munroe Hospital the inspectors found there was enough PPE, but staff said they had been asked to wear the same masks for multiple days, as well as take single-use visors home to clean and re-wear.
Three members of staff were not always bare below the elbow, while one worker had nail varnish and two were wearing jewellery.
There was also a lack of dedicated hygiene sinks which made it difficult for staff to adequately wash their hands.
Similar issues relating to PPE and hygiene were seen at Edith Shaw Hospital.
The hospitals, which can accommodate up to 71 adults with long-term mental health needs, were previously rated as “good”.
John Munroe Group has now been told it must make various improvements, including implementing the required infection prevention and control measures; ensuring all premises and equipment are clean and suitable; complying with National Institute of Care and Excellence guidelines; and investigating and taking action on complaints.
The CQC says that if there is not sufficient improvement, it will use further enforcement powers “to protect patients from the risk of harm and hold the services’ leaders to account”.
Paul Birks, operational director at John Munroe Group, said improvements had already been carried out in response to the inspection.
He said: “Whilst we are disappointed with the overall rating from the CQC inspection, we do recognise that the inspection highlighted key areas for improvement, which were actioned with immediate effect following the inspection.
“We are pleased all the agencies involved have recognised we have taken the necessary actions to protect people from Covid-19 and continue to work to improve on the management and delivery of all services to our patients.
“We would like to take the opportunity to assure our patients, staff, families and carers and the public that we are all working tirelessly to ensure that robust systems are in place to effectively safeguard and protect everyone in our care, employment including the local community.”
Mr Birks added that there were currently no Covid-19 cases among patients or staff at either hospital, and that regular testing was being carried out.
All patients are fully vaccinated, and all staff have received their first dose.