Chief Inspector of Hospitals recommends Stockport hospital comes out of special measures

Published: 1 June 2017 Page last updated: 3 November 2022
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England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals has published his findings on the standards of treatment and care provided by Arbour Lodge Independent Hospital, Stockport following an inspection in March.

A previous inspection by the CQC in July 2016 saw Arbour Lodge Independent Hospital rated as Inadequate and placed into special measures.  

At the time, the Care Quality Commission issued five Warning Notices requiring the provider, Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited, to make a series of improvements. Significant improvements were found at this latest inspection in March 2017 and the service has now been rated as Requires Improvement overall.

Findings from the inspection have been published on our website.  

Nicholas Smith, CQC's Head of Mental Health Inspections (North West) said:

“At our last comprehensive inspection of Arbour Lodge Independent Hospital in July last year, we were so concerned that we placed the hospital into special measures to make sure people using these services would be kept safe."

“Since this inspection it is clear staff at the hospital have worked hard to make improvements.  Importantly there have been improvements in patient safety.  A new manager and governance structure have helped to address the staffing concerns we had, and services are much more responsive to the needs of people using them."

“We have now rated the service as requires improvement and recommended that they exit special measures."

“There is still work to be done, and we have made it clear to Arbour Lodge Independent Hospital where they must improve further.  Going forward they must show they can sustain the improvements they have made, and continue to build on that progress.”

Key findings at this inspection included:

  • Staffing concerns had been addressed, although  at this inspection there were concerns that staff were occasionally being allocated to observations for longer than set out in the  hospital policy.   Observation records were not always fully completed.
  • Inspectors received positive feedback from carers and observed positive interaction between them and people using the service. Staff knew patients well and had developed good relationships with them.
  • There had been improvements in the responsiveness of the service in terms of pre-admission and discharge planning.
  • Areas where Arbour Lodge Independent Hospital must improve are:
  • The hospital must ensure that staff complete all mandatory training.
  • The hospital must ensure damaged furniture is replaced promptly.
  • Patients deprived of their liberty without appropriate legal authority must be identified as informal and their situation must be regularly reviewed, including seeking legal advice.
  • Meaningful activities must be taking place for people using the service.  

Ends

For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Officer Kerri James by email kerri.james@cqc.org.uk or by phone on 07464 92 9966. 

Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here.

Please note: the press office is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters. For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.

Since this inspection it is clear staff at the hospital have worked hard to make improvements

Nicholas Smith, CQC's Head of Mental Health Inspections (North West)

About the Care Quality Commission

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.

We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.

We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care.