- Community healthcare service
Chippenham Hospital
Assessment report published 8 July 2026
Contents
Ratings - Community health inpatient services
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 17 to 18 March 2026.
This assessment focused solely on two inpatient rehabilitation wards located at Chippenham Hospital, which together offer 37 inpatient beds.
Our assessment was a comprehensive inspection of all key questions.
Our assessment was announced (staff knew we were coming) to ensure everyone we needed to speak with was available. This was the first time we had assessed this service since it was taken over by HCRG Care Services Ltd in April 2025. During our assessment, we visited both wards and spoke with 18 staff, including doctors, nurses, therapists, domestic staff and managers and reviewed 13 patient records.
Mental Capacity Act Compliance
Staff could describe and knew how to get accurate advice on the Mental Capacity Act and this formed part of their mandatory training. At the time of our assessment, staff for both wards had completed 93% of their Mental Capacity Act training (against the services own compliance rate of 85%).
Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, in particular the five statutory principles. Staff took all practical steps to enable patients to make their own decisions.
For patients who might have impaired mental capacity, staff assessed and recorded capacity to consent appropriately. They did this on a decision-specific basis. When patients lacked capacity, staff made decisions in their best interests, recognising the importance of the person’s wishes, feelings, culture and history.
The service had arrangements to monitor adherence to the Mental Capacity Act.
People's experience of this service
During our inspection, we spoke with 23 people across Cedar and Mulberry wards and observed the care delivery. All people using the service and carers reported feeling safe, and feedback about their experiences of care were positive.
They felt safe and were fully involved in planning their care and understanding their rights. They told us staff treated them with warmth and kindness and provided effective care and treatment. Patients said communication with them was good.
Staff enabled patients to give feedback on the service they received. Patients and carers gave feedback through the friends and families test. At the time of our assessment, this was at 100% from the last 12 months. Staff collected and shared compliments received by the service. The service had received 8 formal compliments in the last 3 months.
Patients told us:
“They treat me with great respect.”
“[Staff] carry out their jobs in a considerate way. I’ve been a bit tearful, and they’ve come and sat with me. Very respectful how they are helping me with personal care.”
“[Staff] are very kind and seem to listen to me. Encouraging me to do things to get mobile again.”
“We go down to the day room, where we sing and I’ve started knitting again.”
“No complaints but if I want anything doing [staff] do it straight away.”
Carers told us:
“My [relative] thought it was wonderful. Visiting times are more flexible, you can come when you like.”
“Staff seem to be working well together, we never see anything else.”
Records we reviewed showed that patients’ needs were consistently assessed in a timely manner, and staff were readily available to provide help and support when required.