Safety fears trigger Derby NHS mental health ward inspection

Parts of ward 35 of the Radbourne Unit were found not to be safe

Concerns about conditions on a psychiatric ward in Derby triggered an inspection to ensure patients were being properly cared for.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) officials carried out an unannounced visit to ward 35 of the Radbourne Unit at the Royal Derby Hospital.

It was prompted by concerns Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was not meeting legal requirements on the ward.

The trust said an improvement plan was subsequently drawn up.

Ligature points

The care watchdog said it had been contacted by a Mental Health Act reviewer who was concerned patients on the wards did not know their rights and that incidents were not being reported and followed up appropriately,

The reviewer also told the CQC patients were not able to store personal possessions securely, risks to them were not being assessed and care planning was not in place.

Inspectors found managers did not ensure staff and patients got appropriate support following serious incidents

They said the ward, which has 20 beds for acute female psychiatric patients "was not safe, clean, well-furnished or fit for purpose".

They found damaged electrical items including an unattended heater and "ligature points" in a dining area and recreation room where patients might be able to hang themselves.

A CQC report, published on Thursday, said: "Due to the seriousness of the concerns following our site visit, in September 2023 we used our powers under Section 31 of the Health and Social Care Act, to request assurances to ensure the ward was safe, patients received the right care and treatment and appropriate measures were in place to monitor these changes."

Changes made

The report added: "The trust responded immediately and put appropriate measures in place with a detailed action plan."

The CQC said the latest inspection had not led to a change in the trust's overall "good" rating.

A trust spokesperson said: "The trust is committed to making ongoing improvements to our ward environments, including the development of two new acute mental health units which are due to open late 2024, offering purpose designed facilities including single end-suite bedrooms and specialist therapy space.

"The trust immediately developed an improvement plan in response to the concerns raised by the CQC in September, which provided assurance on the quality of the services we provide."