The Care Quality Commission
  • Mental Health
  • Independent mental health service

Archived: Chaseways

1 Chaseways, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, CM21 0AS (01279) 414939

Provided and run by:
Cygnet Learning Disabilities Limited

All Inspections

12 September 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service. They told us that they were happy with the care and support that they received. One person told us, "They are good to me." People told us that the staff members were caring and helpful.

People told us that they liked the food that was provided for them. One person said, "We tell them what we like and they get it for you." Another person told us that a staff member went with them to a local supermarket to buy the indian food they were used to. This showed that people's food and drink met their religious or cultural needs. We observed people as they had lunch during our inspection and we saw that people were offered a choice of what they had to eat.

We noted that the communal areas looked clean and we did not notice any bad odours. We saw that the floor covering in some of the en-suite facilities were stained and soiled, particularly around the drains and the base of the toilet pans. The inside of most of the toilet pans were black with a build up of matter on them. We also saw that staff members did not comply with the hand hygiene policy.

People's rooms and the communal areas were all on the ground floor. The rooms were of a good size and all had en-suite facilities. We noted that the repairs were normally completed within one week of the issue being reported. Records showed that required safety checks had been completed.

We saw that people's records could only be accessed by authorised persons.

6 February 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

When we inspected this service on 18 May 2012 we found that we could not see how the care plans were developed, for example through the use of an assessment of need tool or a risk assessment. We inspected the service on 06 February 2013 and found that the care plans and risk assessments for people who used the service had been reviewed. We saw the records of the short term assessment of risk and treatability (START) reviews of the risk assessments for each person. These were completed every six weeks and highlighted any specific risk estimates and the management measures in place for these.

18 May 2012

During a routine inspection

There were six people living at Chaseways on the day of our inspection. However, not all of the people who lived at the service were able to verbally express their thoughts and feelings. Therefore, we spoke with one person who uses the service, a relative and the advocate used by people at Chaseways.

A person who used the service said "I am happy" and that they liked the "friendly people".

The advocate explained to us that "the inclusion for advocacy is really good" and that the service "is making lots of progress".

9, 10 January 2012

During a themed inspection looking at Learning Disability Services

At the time of the review there were nine people receiving treatment at Chaseways. We spoke with four people at length during our visit to get their views on the service and the treatment they received.

The people we spoke with told us about their past and events that led to their admission to Chaseways. One person told us that 'they moved here (to Chaseways) because the old service closed down.'

All four people knew that they had a care plan, but no one knew what we meant when we asked about a Health Action Plan. Two people told us they 'were not allowed to have a copy of their care plan.'

We asked people what they did during the day, one said 'not a lot' another told us they just 'watched television and did their laundry.' Another person told us they 'would like to have an activity plan so that they knew what they had to do each day.' This person also told us they were 'starting college next month.'

We also spoke with the relatives of three people being treated at Chaseways. Two people we spoke with had been involved in the care planning for their family member.

16 November 2011

During a routine inspection

Due to people's learning disabilities and behavioural problems, it was difficult to communicate with most of those living at Chaseways. However, the people we spoke with gave the 'thumbs up' sign to indicate that staff supported them well and respected their human rights.

During our visit the people who we spoke with indicated with gestures and signs to say that they were being well looked after by staff, and in particular by their key workers. They also nodded to indicate that the staff were helpful and supportive.

The people we spoke with used their sign language to indicate that they were listened to and had no concerns.

Mental Health Act Commissioner reports

Each year, we visit all NHS trusts and independent providers who care for people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act to monitor the care they provide and check that patients' rights are met. Immediate concerns raised by patients on those visits are discussed, if appropriate, with hospital staff.

Our Mental Health Act Commissioners may carry out a number of visits to each provider over a 12-month period, during which they talk to detained patients, staff and managers about how services are provided. In the past, we summarised themes from the visits and published an annual statement followed by the provider's response where applicable. We are looking at different ways to indicate the outcomes of our monitoring in the future.