Watchdog praises mental health hospital for men

A hospital which provides support for men with mental health difficulties was praised for its “outstanding” practice in offering service users paid roles to aid their recovery during its latest inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

Cygnet Churchill, in Barkham Terrace, Lambeth, is a 57-bed inpatient mental health hospital.

It has four wards including an emergency acute admissions service and three high-dependency inpatient rehabilitation services.

Following the latest CQC inspection which took place in October, the service maintained its ‘Good’ rating, and the report singled out the hospital’s therapeutic earnings programme for service users as an outstanding practice.

The programme provides opportunities for paid roles such as a shopping assistant, dining room assistant and service user representatives.

As part of the inspection, the CQC inspectors spoke to seven service users and 18 members of staff, with one patient saying “this was the best hospital they had been in”.

The report stated: “Patients told us staff always had smiles on their faces, that staff were friendly, and they were supported to attend external appointments and activities.

“A patient told us this was the best hospital they had been in. Another patient said there was mutual respect between staff and patients, and he felt they treated him as an individual.”

CQC inspectors said staff helped service users live healthier lives by supporting them to take part in programmes or giving advice.

The report also highlighted how staff felt respected, supported and valued.

Theo Bello, Hospital Manager, said: ““I have nothing but praise and admiration for all staff who have pulled together and shown dedication, resilience and pursuance of excellence in all they do.

“The contribution of our Quality Assurance team cannot be overemphasised. Thank you all.

“We have put in all our effort to improve the lives of those who make contact with our hospital, but there is more work to be done.

“Although we can be proud of our good rating, we must not rest on our oars.

“The Cygnet Churchill team is now aiming to achieve an outstanding outcome at our next inspection.”

For more information about Cygnet Churchill click here.

Pictured top: Staff at Cygnet Churchill (Picture: Cygnet Health Care)