During an assessment of Acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units
We assessed the acute wards for adults of working age and intensive care units at The Priory Middleton St Goerge Hospital on 13 and 14 January 2026. This assessment included an on-site inspection visit.
We assessed this service to review the progress made against the requirement notices that were served on the provider following the inspection in December 2023. The service had made improvements and is no longer in breach of regulations 15 and 17.
We visited the following wards as part of the assessment:
Sycamore ward, adult acute ward women with 14 beds
Chester ward, adult psychiatric intensive care unit for women with 10 beds
Birch ward, adult psychiatric intensive care unit for men with 10 beds.
We rated the service as good overall with requires improvement in safe.
On Sycamore ward we found that there were 3 plastic refuse bags within bins. Two were in the communal dining area and one in the unlocked activity room. The provider was unable to provide evidence they had risk assessed the use of plastic bags on the ward. Plastic bags could potentially be used by patients to ligature and therefore pose a significant risk to patient safety.
This was a breach of regulation 12 Safe Care and Treatment.
The provider immediately removed the bags and audited all the wards at the hospital.
We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
However, we found the service demonstrated a positive learning culture and staff knew how to safeguard patients from abuse. Environments were clean and staffing was safe and effective. Staff and teams worked well together and were able to evidence how they monitored and improved patient outcomes. The service ensured information was up to date and accessible. Leaders were capable and encouraged staff to speak up. Leaders were committed to improving workforce equity, diversity and inclusion and promoted learning, improvement and innovation.