- Independent mental health service
Rhodes Wood Hospital
Report from 22 April 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings - Child and adolescent mental health wards
Our view of the service
Rhodes Wood Hospital registered with CQC in October 2016 to provide the following regulated activities; assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, diagnostic and screening procedures and treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The hospital accommodates male and female young people, between the ages of 8-18 with a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder. There were 37 beds across 3 wards: Rainbow, Shepherd and Cheshunt wards.
We completed a responsive unannounced inspection of this service on 5 June 2025 due to concerns about patient safety. During our on-site visit we did not find any concerns relating to safety of young people on observations or sexual safety.
Our last inspection of Rhodes Wood Hospital was in May 2022, where we found a breach of Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, relating to premises and equipment. The service was told they must ensure all areas of three wards were redecorated, maintained and visibly clean. At this inspection there were no infection prevention control issues with flooring or walls, as found at our last inspection. However, some areas of the environment needed improvement, such as holes in ceilings and walls, that were in the process of being resolved.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 5 young people during our inspection at Rhodes Wood. Young people across all 3 wards told us they were able to raise concerns with staff, most staff were approachable and they felt safe. Young people told us they were involved in writing their care plans. However, one young person told us that the wards could be cleaner, and more space was needed.
We spoke with 4 parents or carers of young people or recently discharged young people. They told us they felt involved in treatment and were invited to attend multi-disciplinary meetings every other week. Parents and carers told us they felt they were able to raise concerns, which were responded to appropriately. Some parents and carers felt that regular staff were more caring than agency staff. One parent told us that staff members went above and beyond for their loved one. For example, they told us that without the support of the staff, their loved one would not have been referred to a Special Educational Needs School (SEND) on discharge from hospital. Staff were also praised for putting a robust discharge plan in place.
During our on-site inspection we observed staff interacting with children and young people. We observed that staff were engaging and compassionate towards young people.