- Independent mental health service
Victoria Gardens
Assessment report published 7 July 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
We inspected Victoria Gardens from 19 to 20 May 2026.
Victoria Gardens was registered with CQC in February 2019 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. The service has a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission.
We visited the following wards as part of the inspection:
Bluebell Ward, a level 2 rehabilitation ward for men, with 9 beds
Roby Ward, a level 2 rehabilitation ward for men, with 12 beds
Dovecot Ward, a level 2 rehabilitation ward for women, with 8 beds
The service also had 4 self-contained flats as part of the rehabilitation pathway, at the time of the inspection 3 of the flats were supported by staff from Bluebell Ward and 1 flat was staffed by Roby Ward. There was also a ward that was closed at the time of the inspection, Sefton Ward, which would provide rehabilitation when it re-opened.
At this inspection we assessed 1 assessment service group; Long stay or rehabilitation mental health wards for working age adults where we inspected 33 quality statements.
We rated the service as Good.
The service was focused on learning from incidents and had implemented Just Culture training, to support staff to have open conversations and ensure learning from incidents was more effective.
Risk assessments were comprehensive and physical health monitoring was good. There were positive relationships within the multidisciplinary team and comprehensive involvement of all disciplines in patient care.
The service had a strong culture of quality improvement and projects were considered in a holistic way such as improving care, supporting rehabilitation and staff wellbeing.
Patients spoke positively about the service and the care and support they received from staff. Patients had access to a range of activities, as well as work and education opportunities.
Staff worked to ensure that patients in the service were empowered. Staff had supported complex discharges to ensure individuals achieved the best possible outcome.
However, infection control principles were not always followed and in some clinic rooms there were gaps in cleaning records. Care plans were not always personalised and did not reflect patient’s individual rehabilitation aims and discharge plans.
Also, some changes within the service and the organisation’s changes to staff policies had led to anxiety and lowered morale in the service.