- Independent mental health service
St Andrew's Healthcare - Birmingham
Assessment report published 23 August 2026
Contents
Ratings - Forensic inpatient or secure wards
Our view of the service
The service had made a number of improvements since the last inspection and was no longer in breach of some regulations. However, we found 2 breaches of the regulations in relation to safe care and treatment and good governance. The service mostly provided safe care but some aspects of the service needed further improvement.
Medicine management was not always optimised and governance systems were not always effective in identifying or addressing areas for improvement, such as the poor WiFi connection in some areas of the wards, which hindered staff in carrying out some of their duties in a timely manner.
The ward environments were spacious, comfortable, safe and generally clean. The wards had enough staff and ward teams had access to the full range of specialists to meet the needs of patients. Staff minimised the use of restrictive practices and followed good practice with respect to safeguarding. Staff completed thorough risk assessments of wards and individualised risk assessments with patients, which they updated regularly including when people's risk presentation changed. Managers ensured that staff received training, supervision and appraisal and had listened to staff concerns by increasing
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 16 patients during our inspection. Patients told us they felt safe and knew who to speak with if they had any concerns about their safety. Patients were supported to keep in contact with their family and friends if they wanted to. Some patients said staff took them to visit their families and other patients told us how staff helped their families to visit the hospital. One patient explained how staff managed their needs and the needs of their family really well, saying ”staff go above and beyond” to support them with visits. Patients told us that restraint was hardly ever used at the hospital, they understood their care and treatment, and their rights under the Mental Health Act. However, a lot of patients told us the provider had changed how to get help from an independent advocate and a social worker. Patients told us it was better when the advocates would do “drop in” sessions on the wards, because they could see them regularly. The new system meant they had to book appointments. Patients told us that was frustrating and meant they had to wait longer to speak to an advocate. Patients also told us they no longer had a social worker assigned to their ward so they did not see them as often as they would like to. Some patients told us there were lots of different activities for them to join in with. Others told us there were not enough activities that interested them. Patients told us that having more staff on the ward had been positive because it meant their leave and activity plans were not delayed. Some patients told us staff had supported them to learn new things, such as how to stay safe online, how to speak English as another language and how to study for college qualifications. Patients told us they really enjoyed the music and art therapy sessions. Patients gave mixed feedback about the menu options. Some patients said there was plenty of choice and the food was tasty. Others told us the menu options were limited, and the food could be better. Patients told us they were supported to learn new skills such as cooking.