HMP Bedford

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We found the provider had made significant improvement in ensuring staff had an improved understanding of how to complete risk assessments and referrals into mental health or to other services were processed promptly.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Learning culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

Mental Health

At the last assessment we found that referrals were not processed in a timely manner. During this assessment we found there was a clear referrals process for mental health services. Patients had access to mental health treatment and support when they needed it. Patients we spoke with told us that the mental health team had had a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Patients with mental health needs were identified at reception and triaged promptly.

Inpatient unit

At the last assessment we found that referrals for patients with physical and mental healthneeds were not made promptly. During this assessment we found that referrals were timelyand supportive. There was a process for staff to make referrals to other internaland external healthcare services when required. Review of care records for patients on theinpatient unit found that referrals were made promptly to meet their social care, mental andphysical health care needs.

The judgement for Safeguarding is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

Staff assessed individual patient risk; assessments were completed promptly and interventions to mitigate risk were clear.

Mental Health

At the last assessment we found some mental health risk assessments were generic, or risks, goals and interventions were not clear.During this assessment we found that there had been significant improvement. Staff and managers told us that they held regular clinical supervision and other 1:1 sessions as required to support staff to clearly document identified patient risks and interventions. We reviewed a sample of patient records and found that staff had documented each risk clearly and any intervention required was also clearly documented.

Inpatient unit

At the last assessment we found staff had not completed risk assessments for patients on the inpatient unit when risks had been identified. During this assessment staff and managers told us that a new manager for the inpatient unit had been appointed. The manager worked closely with staff to ensure risk assessments were improved and contained all necessary detail. We reviewed a sample of risk assessments and found that they were comprehensive and met the needs of the patients.

The judgement for Safe environments is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Safe and effective staffing is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Infection prevention and control is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Medicines optimisation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.