- Independent mental health service
The Priory Hospital Chelmsford
Assessment report published 17 October 2025
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
The Priory Hospital Chelmsford is an independent mental health hospital providing 56 beds run by Priory Healthcare Limited.
The Care Quality Commission registered The Priory Hospital Chelmsford to carry out the following regulated activities:
• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury
• Accommodation for persons who require treatment for substance misuse
• Assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983
• Diagnostic and screening procedures.
The service has a registered manager and a controlled drugs accountable officer.
On 4 September 2025, we conducted an inspection of several services within the organisation. The services included substance misuse services, acute wards for adults of working age and eating disorder services for adults of working age. The following wards were inspected as part of this inspection:
Chelmer Ward
A 12-bedded, mixed-sex acute ward providing assessment and care for patients with mental health needs. The ward also supported some patients with addictions. This service was for privately funded patients, including those with medical insurance. Substance misuse services were inspected concurrently and are covered in a separate report.
Danbury Ward
A 17--bedded female-only acute ward offering inpatient assessment and treatment for patients with mental health needs. This ward catered to NHS-funded patients.
Springfield Ward
A 12-bedded mixed-sex ward dedicated to the assessment and treatment of patients with eating disorders. This service was funded by the NHS.
The Lodge
A 3-bedded, mixed-sex residential house delivering an addictions therapy rehabilitation programme. This service is reported on separately in the accompanying substance misuse services report.
At the time of inspection there were 36 patients at the service.
We last inspected this service in September 2021. At that inspection, the service was rated good in all domains, and we found no breaches of the Health and Social Care Act regulations (2008). Following this inspection the service has again been rated as good.
The service provided safe care. The ward environments were pleasant, safe and 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 and updated these regularly and/ or when risk presentation changed. Managers ensured that staff received training, supervision and appraisal and had developed strategies to boost staff wellbeing and recognise staff achievements. Feedback from patients and carers about the service was mostly positive. Most patients told us they felt safe, and that staff were caring and treated them with kindness and respect.