The Care Quality Commission
  • Mental Health
  • NHS mental health service

Archived: South Tyneside District Hospital

Harton Lane, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 0PL (0191) 454 8446

Provided and run by:
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

15 July 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

We spoke with the majority of the patients on the male and female units. Most were very positive about the care and treatment they received across the Bede Units. Some of their comments included, 'I think this is one of the best places to be if you're mentally ill', 'I've been to a couple of different places, but it's totally different here. There's a relaxed environment here. The staff are approachable ' there's no barriers between staff and patients', 'This place has saved my life', "It's not that bad ' it could be worse!' and 'Being here gives you a chance to look over your life and work out where you want to be.'

16 December 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

The people who used the service made some very positive comments and confirmed that improvements had been made to the service. We were told,' I have a named nurse and a second named nurse. They all have different approaches ' I was involved in my care plan and goals.'

Another person said, they just want to know where you are going and how long you are going to be.'

One person commented, 'It is a nice place to be. It does feel safe and you can lock your own door.'

Other comments included 'Our rooms are quite nice; a safe place to be in' and 'they are champion staff, I get the chance to go out and go home.'

8 July 2011

During a routine inspection

One person told us that they had been in and out of psychiatric care for the last 30 years and 'this was first time my full history has been looked at properly and my new tablets are working well'. They also commented that they felt well supported in the community after they had been discharged from Bede unit previous times. The person told us that they could access a telephone 24 hours a day, in a private area of the unit, to make any calls they needed.

The people we spoke with commented positively on the attitude of staff. In one unit a person told us, 'The staff have been very friendly and approachable'.

In another unit a person said, 'The staff here have got a good attitude compared to another hospital I've stayed at.'

Whilst people were fully involved in their care planning they felt that care plans did not translate into actual care practices. One person said, 'I'm supposed to have some one-to-one time with staff at least twice a week but I've had none this week.'