- Independent mental health service
Cygnet Hospital Derby
Assessment report published 18 March 2026
Contents
Ratings - Forensic inpatient or secure wards
Our view of the service
Date of assessment: 8 to 12 September 2025. We assessed all 33 Quality Statements across the five key questions: safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led. The service had last been inspected in May 2022 and had been rated Good. Following this assessment, the rating remained Good.
Staff provided safe, structured, and patient-focused care. Environments were clean, well-maintained, and designed to minimise risks, including ligature points. Staff completed thorough, ongoing risk assessments and updated them to reflect each patient’s changing needs.
Care and treatment had been delivered in line with national guidance and best practice, with multidisciplinary teams working seamlessly to meet patients’ individual needs. Staff had been highly trained, supported through supervision and appraisal, and had demonstrated innovation in care delivery.
Patients reported that they felt safe, respected, and empowered. Staff actively promoted dignity, independence, and choice, involving patients in care planning and decisions wherever possible.
Families and carers had been fully included in planning, fostering a culture of collaboration.
Leadership had been visible, supportive, and focused on continuous improvement. Staff reported that they had felt valued and confident in their roles.
People's experience of this service
We spoke to 17 patients and 8 relatives across Wyvern, Alvaston, and Litchurch wards. Patients consistently told us they felt involved in their care and treatment planning. They described regular structured time with their named nurse as well as frequent ad-hoc contact. Several said they felt confident approaching staff when they noticed changes in their mental or physical health, and described staff as compassionate, responsive, and well trained.
Patients told us staff supported their wellbeing through group and individual sessions on topics such as sleep hygiene, healthy eating, and self-care. Physical health promotion materials were visible around the wards, and patients described feeling encouraged to look after their health. Most said they were involved in decisions about medication and treatment changes, though they understood there were occasions when changes had to be made quickly in their best interests.
Relatives generally felt their family members were safe and well cared for, and several commented positively on the cleanliness and homeliness of the wards. Patients also confirmed the environment was clean, with regular input from domestic staff and visible efforts by ward staff to maintain hygiene and cleanliness throughout the day and night.
We heard that patients received clear information about their care, including feedback from CPA and MDT meetings. They felt different professionals worked well together, which was especially evident during discharge planning or applications for supported living placements. Some relatives also commented positively on how staff coordinated care with external professionals. Most patients and relatives said care was tailored to their individual needs and described it as person centred.
Staff were described as respectful, kind, and professional. Patients told us they were treated with dignity and listened to. Relatives echoed this in most cases, although a small number felt staff did not always follow through after concerns were raised. Both patients and relatives told us they felt able to raise issues, with patients explaining they had multiple opportunities to give feedback through community meetings, ward representatives, and the people’s council. The People’s Council is a group of patients who meet regularly to share feedback, suggest improvements, and help shape how the service is run.
Patients said they were supported to plan for their future, including leave, discharge, or transfers of care. They felt staff always attempted to involve families in care planning where appropriate. Relatives generally felt well informed when they had permission to receive updates, though some reported inconsistent communication or long gaps between contact. A few relatives were unclear on how to make a formal complaint, although most said they would feel confident raising concerns if needed.
Overall, feedback from patients and relatives reflected a service that treated people with respect, involved them in decisions, and supported them to have a say in their care. There were areas for improvement in communication with some relatives, for example, the consistency of staff availability for escorted leave, and follow-through on concerns. However, both patients and relatives shared positive experiences of care, relationships with staff, and the support they received.