Potters Bar Clinic

Updated 27 May 2026

We assessed Potters Bar Clinic on 9 and 19 February 2026. Potters Bar Clinic was registered with CQC in October 2016 to deliver the regulated activities: Assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 and Treatment of disease, disorder or injury.

At this assessment we assessed 2 assessment service groups; acute wards for adults of working age and child and adolescent mental health wards. We assessed all quality statements for both assessment service groups.

We visited the following wards as part of the assessment:

• Crystal ward was an adult acute ward for women with 12 beds
• Ruby ward was an adult acute ward for men with 13 beds
• Opal ward was a mixed gender child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) low secure unit with 7 beds.
• Jasper ward was a mixed gender child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) low secure unit with 11 beds

We rated the service as good overall. In the acute wards for adults of working age, we found 1 breach of regulation in relation to safe care and treatment. We have asked the provider for an action plan to address the concerns found at this assessment. In child and adolescent mental health wards we did not find any breaches.

Updated 1 December 2025

Potters Bar Clinic acute wards for adults of working age are provided by Elysium Healthcare Limited. There were 2 acute wards. Ruby ward was a 13-bedded ward for males and crystal ward was a 12 bedded ward for females. All bedrooms had en-suite facilities. Potters Bar Clinic provides the following regulated activities:

• Assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983
• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury

We completed an unannounced inspection of acute wards for adults of working age on 9 February 2026. At the time of the inspection the wards were not at full capacity.

Acute wards at Potters Bar Clinic were last inspected in March 2025, where key questions safe and well-led were assessed. There were 2 breaches under regulation 13 (safeguarding) and regulation 15 (premises and equipment). Staff did not have a good understanding of sexual safety. The environment needed maintenance and repairs.

At this inspection we assessed all key questions and we rated the service as good. We found a breach under regulation 12 (safe care and treatment). Care plans were not written in the patient’s voice, risk assessments were not always completed immediately after admission and there were not always management plans in place for identified risks. We have asked the provider for an action plan in relation to the breach we found.

However, the service had made improvements with safeguarding and previous concerns around sexual safety. Leaders had implemented sexual safety champions to support staff and patients, where there were sexual safety concerns. Safeguarding referrals were completed where appropriate, managers completed investigations and had a robust oversight of incidents. Leaders ensured learning was identified and shared with the team. This meant that patients were protected from abuse.

Mental Health Act

The service admitted patients under the Mental Health Act 1983. Staff received and kept up to date with training on the Mental Health Act Code of Practice. Mental Health Act Code of Practice training compliance rate was 95%. Staff explained patients their rights under the Mental Health Act in a way that they could understand. Staff made sure patients could take section 17 leave when this was agreed with the responsible clinician.

Updated 1 December 2025

Potters Bar Clinic child and adolescent mental health) low secure wards are provided by Elysium Healthcare Limited. Jasper ward was an 11-bedded mixed sex ward and Opal ward was a 7-bedded mixed sex ward. All bedrooms had en-suite facilities. Potters Bar Clinic provided the following regulated activities:

• Assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983
• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury

We completed an unannounced inspection of inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) on 19 February 2026. At the time of inspection, the wards were at full capacity.

The service was last inspected in August 2023, where no breaches were found. The service was rated as good.

At this inspection we assessed all key questions, and we rated the service as good. No breaches were found.

Mental Health Act

Leaders ensured that staff received training in the Mental Health Act. Training compliance for Mental Health Act code of practice was 95%. Young people were explained their rights under the Mental Health Act. Young people had access to information on independent mental health advocates.