- SERVICE PROVIDER
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
This is an organisation that runs the health and social care services we inspect
Assessment report published 8 October 2026
Contents
Ratings - Long stay or rehabilitation mental health wards for working age adults
Our view of the service
439 Ipswich Road is an 11- bedded long stay or rehabilitation ward for male and female patients, provided by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. 439 Ipswich Road provides the following regulated activities:
- Assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983
- Treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
We completed an unannounced focussed inspection of the service on 23 June 2026 to review the progress made against the warning notice that was served on the trust following inspection in November 2025. The trust were asked to address immediate concerns in relation to regulation 12 (safe care and treatment), 13 (safeguarding) and 17 (good governance).
At our last inspection we found 5 breaches in relation to regulation 9 (person centred care), regulation 12 (safe care and treatment), regulation 13 (safeguarding), regulation 17 (good governance) and regulation 18 (staffing). Staff did not protect people from abuse. Patients were not always risk assessed and safely admitted to the ward. Safeguarding referrals were not completed to protect patients from harm. There were gaps within governance. Managers did not have a robust oversight of incidents. Managers did not have oversight of staff. The environment was not safe. There was limited access to a responsible clinician and a clinical psychologist.
At this inspection we assessed safe, caring and well-led key questions. We found the service had made improvements and were no longer in breach of regulation 9 (person centred care), regulation 12 (safe care and treatment), 13 (safeguarding) and 17 (good governance) and regulation 18 (staffing).
Leaders ensured the environment was safe. Ligature risks were mitigated and items that were a risk to patients in the environment had been removed. Fire risks had been addressed and a broken fence in the garden had been repaired. This meant patients were no longer at risk of avoidable harm.
Staff protected people from abuse. Safeguarding referrals were completed to protect patients from harm. Sexual safety risks had been mitigated and mixed sex accommodation was appropriately managed. This meant patients were no longer at risk of avoidable harm.
Governance processes had improved. Leaders had oversight of incidents and ensured investigations were completed and learning was shared. Managers had oversight of staff. Staff were receiving supervision and appraisals.
Managers had systems in place to monitor the assessment of risk. All patients had a risk assessment in place.
However, we found that risk management plans were not comprehensive. Leaders were aware of this issue and advised that training would be provided.
There were areas of infection prevention and control that were non- compliant and had been identified through auditing processes. Managers had implemented an action plan to address this prior to inspection.
People's experience of this service
Patients told us staff were friendly and respectful and they could go to staff if they needed help or support.
Patients felt safe. One patient told us managers ensured there were enough female staff working on the ward. Where there were not enough female staff, extra were brought in. People felt they could raise concerns if they had any.
Patients said they were given the freedom to leave the ward and the environment was homely.
Patients had been offered or had a copy of their care plan.
Patients said there were a variety of activities available. This included bracelet making, soap making, pool, communal meals and art therapy.