- Independent mental health service
The Hamptons
Assessment report published 24 July 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 04 March 2025 with an additional day on the 12 March 2025.
The Hamptons is a High Dependency Rehabilitation Unit for men with mental health needs between the ages of 18 and 65 years old. It has 14 beds and can admit both informal and detained patients.
We rated the service as Requires Improvement. We found 2 breaches of the regulations in relation to safe care and treatment and governance.
Although the service had governance processes and procedures in place, these did not always operate effectively, and it was not always clear that managers had appropriate oversight and monitoring of these processes. We identified gaps in various documentation that we reviewed, along with inconsistencies with how certain information was recorded and located.
The service did not have a current ligature risk assessment in place at the time of the assessment. The previous ligature assessment had been due for review in November 2024. A review of the risks had taken place in February 2025 but had not been fully written up.
The maintenance system did not clearly document and allow for effective oversight of ongoing maintenance issues within the service.
Patient prescription charts had not been fully signed when all medications had been administered.
Staff supervision compliance rates were low in the months prior to the assessment. Mandatory training compliance was also low for certain courses with 22 courses not meeting the provider’s 80% target.
There were some significant gaps identified in the weekly physical observation checks and it was not clear how managers were assured that these were being monitored. There were also inconsistencies in the recording and locations of certain documentation.
However, there were enough staff to ensure patient safety and meet their needs. Patients were supported to have choice and control and could give feedback on their care. Staff felt supported within their roles and gave positive feedback about working for the service. Managers were passionate about the service and were keen to continue to make improvements.
We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act Compliance
Mental Health Act
88% of staff had received training in the Mental Health Act. Staff were trained in and had an understanding of the Mental Health Act, the Code of Practice and the guiding principles.
Staff had access to administrative support and legal advice on implementation of the Mental Health Act and its Code of Practice. Staff knew who their Mental Health Act administrators were.
The provider had relevant policies and procedures that reflected the most recent guidance.
Patients had easy access to information about independent mental health advocacy.
Staff explained to patients their rights under the Mental Health Act in a way that they could understand, repeated it as required and recorded that they had done it.
Staff ensured that patients were able to take Section 17 leave (permission for patients to leave hospital) when this has been granted.
The service displayed a notice to tell informal patients that they could leave the ward freely.
Staff did regular audits to ensure that the Mental Health Act was being applied correctly and there was evidence of learning from those audits.
Mental Capacity Act
96% of staff had had training in the Mental Capacity Act.
Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act. Staff gave examples of how capacity was considered within the service. Staff knew where to get advice from within the provider regarding the Mental Capacity Act.
Staff took all practical steps to enable patients to make their own decisions
For patients who might have impaired mental capacity, staff assessed and recorded capacity to consent appropriately. They did this on a decision-specific basis with regard to significant decisions.
When patients lacked capacity, staff made decisions in their best interests, recognising the importance of the person’s wishes, feelings, culture and history.