Following an inspection in November 2022, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units within CWP as “inadequate”, in a report published Wednesday 22nd February.

This follows an inspection on three of our inpatient areas; Mulberry ward, a 26-bed ward in Macclesfield, Lakefield ward, a 20-bed ward in Wirral and Brooklands ward a 10-bed ward in Wirral. These wards are for those individuals who experience acute mental health difficulties and those who may be detained under the Mental Health Act.

The CQC inspection report relates to improvements required to seclusion environments, seclusion practice and governance oversight of seclusion practices across the organisation. Specifically, the environment (suitability and cleanliness), mitigating risk, effective reporting, escalation and learning.

Whilst the report details areas of improvement it also highlights that patients were treated with “dignity and respect”, “patients felt safe and staff helped to keep them safe”, patient and carers said, “staff treated patients well and behaved kindly,” and “patients report their needs were understood and met”. Staff were also seen as “discreet, respectful, and responsive when caring for patients.”

Tim Welch, chief executive, of CWP says: “We fully accept the findings in the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report and acknowledge we have fallen short of the high standards we pride ourselves on. We sincerely apologise and are supporting those people affected and have taken immediate action in line with the targeted recommendations to improving environments, documentation and governance to enable our practices to be as safe as possible - specifically relating to seclusion. We are pleased the CQC observed “staff’s commitment to ensure patients receive good quality care”, recognising CWPs core values including care and compassion treating patients with “dignity, respect and kindness”.

“We are in regular contact with our regulators and partner organisations and will continue to update them on the actions we are taking as a result. If you, or someone you care for, have been affected please contact the CWP Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 195 4462 (10am – 3pm) or via cwp.pals@nhs.net. If you want to speak to somebody independent from the Trust, your local advocacy services are aware of the situation and are on standby to support you.

Cheshire | Voiceability
Email: helpline@voiceability.org
Phone: 0300 303 1660

Wirral | N-Compass (Wirral Advocacy Hub)
Email: referral@wirraladvocacyhub.net
Phone: 0300 200 0083

Overall, the Trust continues to be rated Good by the CQC and Outstanding for caring.