Archived: Charterhouse Clinic

Updated 8 March 2019

Charterhouse Clinic is a specialist substance misuse service that provides residential support to clients who wish to enter treatment for addiction. The clinic provides treatment for a range of addictions ranging from, drug and alcohol including detoxification, to gaming and gambling addiction.

Charterhouse Clinic has 13 mixed gender, single occupancy bedrooms which were located on the ground floor and first floor. Nine bedrooms were ensuite and four bedrooms shared two bathrooms.

The service provided a holistic therapy approach to addiction that included supporting clients access the 12-Step principles of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. Clients could engage in one to one cognitive behavioural therapy, family relationship groups and group therapy sessions.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of inspection who registered with the Care Quality Commission in November 2018. Charterhouse Clinic was last inspected by the Care Quality Commission February 2018. Charterhouse Clinic is registered with the Care quality commission to provider Accommodation for persons who require treatment for substance misuse.

There were no requirements found however there was a recommendation that the provider should ensure that clinical waste bins were disposed of promptly. The provider had not addressed this issue.

Updated 8 March 2019

We rated Charterhouse Clinic as Requires Improvement because:

• The service did not robustly manage the risks associated with detoxification from drugs and alcohol. Staff did not regularly review client’s physical health observations during detoxification in line with national guidance. The provider did not use dependency scales on admission or consistently use withdrawal scales such as the opioid withdrawal scale to monitor the severity of the client’s withdrawal symptoms in line with national guidance.
• Governance systems were not robust. The service did not have a system to monitor areas for improvement identified through self-auditing and leaders did not maintain a robust risk register.
• Staff did not robustly mitigate the risks associated with mix gender accommodation by conducting risk assessments.
• The service did not hold regular staff team meetings. The last team meeting was held in August 2018.
• The training matrix was not up to date and did not accurately reflect the dates staff had completed their annual training.

However:

• Staff spoken with, reported good team morale and said they were proud to work for the provider.
• Staff provided a range of psychological therapies recommended by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. These included cognitive behavioural therapy and group therapy. Some of the topics covered in group therapy were mindfulness, meditation, reflection and relapse prevention.
• The provider had a whistle blowing policy in place. Staff were aware of the policy and told us they were confident in raising a whistle blowing.
• We observed staff interacting with clients in a kind and respectful manner throughout the inspection.
• Clients told us they felt safe whilst in treatment and that staff were kind and caring. All clients had a named key worker who met with their client weekly.
• We saw evidence that clients were involved in developing and setting their own care plan and goals.

Updated 13 April 2018

See overall summary