- Independent mental health service
Potters Bar Clinic
Assessment report published 27 May 2026
Contents
Ratings - Acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units
Our view of the service
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.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 9 people who used the service. Patients told us that staff at Potters Bar Clinic made them feel safe, although some patients reported that other patients sometimes made them feel unsafe on the ward. Patients told us that staff were caring and supportive. Most patients knew how to access an independent mental health advocate (IMHA).
We received mixed feedback about food at Potters Bar Clinic. Some patients reported that they did not like the food, while others reported that food was good. Most patients told us they did not have access to their care plan.
Some patients reported that the washing machine was not effective and their clothes were not clean after washing. Some patients also reported that their showers did not work.
We observed staff interacting with patients in communal areas and found that staff were good at distracting and de-escalating when needed.