- Independent mental health service
Cygnet Bostall House
Assessment report published 5 November 2026
Contents
Ratings - Wards for people with learning disabilities or autism
Our view of the service
We carried out a comprehensive assessment of Cygnet Bostall House on 21 and 22 September 2026. This was a routine assessment that took place due to time since last inspection.
Cygnet Bostall House was last inspected by the CQC in June 2023. The hospital was rated good overall.
At this assessment we rated the ward as good.
We spoke with 10 members of staff, 4 people using the service and 1 carer. We also reviewed the care and treatment records of 4 people.
We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed autistic people and people with a learning disability respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 4 people using the service and 1 carer during this inspection.
Mental Health Act
The hospital admitted people under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Staff had completed training in the Mental Health Act 1983 and its Code of Practice and demonstrated an understanding of their responsibilities. Training on the Mental Health Act was mandatory for staff, and the compliance rate was 100%.
People had access to information about advocacy and Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) services.
Staff had access to administrative support and legal advice to support the appropriate implementation of the Mental Health Act and its Code of Practice. A Mental Health Act administrator was based remotely and provided regular reminders to staff to ensure people were informed of their rights under Section 132 of the Mental Health Act.
Records showed staff informed people of their rights under the Mental Health Act and repeated this information where required. Most people we spoke with demonstrated an awareness of their rights.
Staff requested an opinion from a Second Opinion Appointed Doctor (SOAD) when required.
Detention documentation was stored securely and was accessible to relevant staff. Staff demonstrated an understanding of Section 17 leave procedures and the requirements for people who were authorised to leave the hospital.
The service completed regular audits to monitor compliance with the Mental Health Act and identify whether it was being applied appropriately.
Mental Capacity Act
Staff had completed training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), with the service reporting 100% compliance. The provider had a policy on the Mental Capacity Act, including deprivation of liberty safeguards. Staff were aware of the policy and had access to it.
Staff took all practical steps to enable people to make their own decisions. Where people may have lacked capacity to make a specific decision, staff appropriately assessed and documented their capacity to consent, providing evidence that decisions about capacity were considered and recorded when required.
When people 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.