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Priory’s hospital in Southampton praised as ‘outstanding’ by inspectors for being ‘caring’

• Newly published CQC report rates hospital as ‘good’ in all categories - and ‘outstanding’ for being caring • Says service is well-led, and staff follow best practice • Says hospital has access to a team of experts • Staff treat patients with ‘compassion and kindness’ • Staff were open and honest with young people, and ward teams had good relationships with external teams such as the local authority • Staff respected patients’ privacy and dignity and understood the individual needs of patients.

A mental health hospital, the Priory Hospital Southampton, which caters for NHS and private patients has been ranked ‘outstanding’ for being ‘caring’ by the social and healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The CQC awarded the accolade after inspecting the hospital whose main services include an acute ward for adult patients with mental health issues called Sandpiper Ward, Kingfisher Ward, for children and adolescents with mental health issues, and Skylark Ward, for patients with eating disorders.

Its report says the hospital provides safe care, follows best practice and has access to a full range of staff who specialise in their field. Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity and understood the individual needs of patients. Each patient had their own bedroom with an ensuite bathroom.

It said beds were managed well ‘so that a bed was always available locally to a person who would benefit from admission, and patients were discharged promptly once their condition warranted this’.

Senior managers mentored staff to help develop future leaders, leaders were visible in the service and approachable for patients and staff, and the wards had a ‘good track record on safety’.

Inspectors singled out various initiatives for praise such as a carers’ education day hosted by the hospital and held on Skylark Ward. Crucially, it provided staff with the opportunity to share their expertise with carers and the families of patients, helping them to gain an expert’s understanding of the complexities of eating disorders and to share strategies they could use when the patient returned home. Staff on Skylark ward also shared research with patients to improve their understanding of their treatment.

The CQC also reported that staff had created a helpful resource to assist patients in developing “therapeutic relationships” with staff. This included information such as patients’ likes and dislikes, favourite films and books.

All of the services within the hospital encouraged patients to give feedback in regular meetings. All three wards display ‘You said; We did’ posters to identify changes and improvements to their services.

Inspectors said patients on Sandpiper Ward were supported by staff to engage in a range of external activities such as work and education, and where useful, family relationships. The report refers to specially designated areas where patients can meet visitors, allowing them to ‘maintain relationships with people that mattered to them’.

The regulator said the hospital was ‘good’ for being safe, effective, responsive and well-led.

The Skylark Ward was specifically rated ‘outstanding’ for being ‘caring’. It was rated ‘good’ in the other four categories. Both Sandpiper and Kingfisher Wards were rated ‘good’ in all five categories, and all three wards were ranked ‘good’ overall.

Staff were open and honest with young people and ward teams had good relationships with their colleagues in the hospital and with external teams such as the local authority. Kingfisher ward has been accredited with The Quality Network for Inpatient CAMHS (children and adolescent mental health services), a scheme provided by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to promote the highest level of care.

The Priory Hospital Southampton in Marchwood Park treats patients who require treatment for acute mental health needs including eating disorders. The hospital is run by the Priory Group, which specialises in mental healthcare and runs mental health hospitals and Wellbeing Centres across the UK, including a Wellbeing Centre in Southampton which has also been praised by the CQC.

Kate Brooker, Hospital Director, said: “The report reflects the excellent level of care we provide and recognises the hard work and commitment that staff here display day in and day out. I am extremely proud of the team, and of our patients, and everything we have achieved together.”

Gair Stott, Chief Operating Officer for Priory Healthcare added; “This is a tremendous achievement and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kate and the staff at The Priory in Southampton for achieving such a fantastic CQC report.”

Pictured above the Senior Management Team at Priory Hospital Southampton, L-R: Dr Megan Roberts-Consultant Psychiatrist, Joe Jackson-Ward Manager of Camhs, Clare Mounce- Director of Clinical Services, Paul Walbridge- Ward Manager of EDU, Kate Brooker- Hospital Director, Colin Sutcliffe-Support Services Manager, Dr Kaleem Baig- Medical Director, Sabina Aiuto -Therapy Business Manager, Dr Matt Reeves-Consultant Psychiatrist.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Niamh Donnelly .