- Independent mental health service
The Priory Hospital Middleton St George
Assessment report published 27 March 2026
Contents
Ratings - Acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units
Our view of the service
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.
People's experience of this service
During our assessment, we spoke with 9 patients and 3 carers. We also reviewed the minutes from community meetings which were held on the ward.
Patients told us they felt safe on the wards, although one patient felt unsafe because of the other patients. Patients were positive about the service, and they thought staff were kind and helpful and that they could speak to them when they needed to.
Patients told us that staff could be busy but generally did not raise any concerns about staffing levels. Patients felt involved in their care and had access to activities, though there was less to do at weekends.
They were provided with information about their care and medicines and participated in their weekly ward round. Most patients said the environment was clean and maintained.
Carers felt that the hospital had been good for their loved ones and they were invited to meetings to discuss future care plans.