- SERVICE PROVIDER
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
This is an organisation that runs the health and social care services we inspect
Assessment report published 29 May 2026
Contents
Ratings - Wards for older people with mental health problems
Our view of the service
Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust provide wards for older people with mental health problems for people in Lincolnshire at Witham court, incorporating Brant and Langworth wards.
Brant ward (adults any age with diagnosis) is purpose built 18-bed inpatient unit for older adults with functional mental health needs, such as depression or schizophrenia. The ward is a mixed-sex unit, with all bedrooms offering single occupancy and en-suite bathrooms. This ward was never inspected before.
Langworth ward is an 18-bed assessment and treatment unit for both men and women with acute organic illnesses, such as dementia, who require inpatient care. The unit is divided into male and female wards, each offering single-sex accommodation and a shared lounge area. The service was last rated as Good published June 2017. The report was published following Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) old inspection approach using key lines of enquiry (KLOEs), prompts and ratings characteristics.
This assessment has been completed following CQC new approach to assessment; Single Assessment Framework (SAF). This was an unannounced assessment, which means the provider was not told an assessment was going to be taking place beforehand. During this assessment we looked at all quality statements across all 5 key questions. As we assessed all quality statements at this visit the current rating reflects the findings from this assessment. We rated this service as good.
People’s experience.
We spoke with eight patients across both wards. Patients were positive about the quality of care and treatment they received. They reported feeling safe, supported, and well cared for by staff, who were consistently described as kind, compassionate, and approachable. Patients said staff were attentive to their needs and engaged with them in a respectful and dignified manner, helping them feel heard and valued throughout their care and treatment.
Patients felt staff were visible, accessible, and responsive, offering support, listening attentively, and responding in a timely and appropriate way. They also felt that staff gave equal priority to both physical and mental health needs.
Patients were involved in the development of their care and risk management plans. This collaborative approach supported person-centred care, with treatment tailored to individual needs, preferences, and circumstances.
The service provided a range of regular therapeutic activities, which were well attended and encouraged patient engagement and inclusion. Patients said these activities offered meaningful structure to their day and had a positive impact on their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Patients were supported to raise concerns, make complaints, and provide feedback. They felt listened to and empowered to share their views. Patients also reported that the food provided was of good quality, with a variety of options available to meet individual preferences, as well as religious, cultural, and dietary requirements.
Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act Compliance Summary
Most staff had completed Mental Health Act (MHA) training at Levels 1 and 2 and demonstrated a strong understanding of the Act and its requirements. Staff had access to appropriate administrative support and legal advice regarding the application of the MHA and the Code of Practice and were clear about who their Mental Health Act Administrators were.
Local MHA policies and procedures, along with the Code of Practice, were readily accessible. Information about Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) services was also clearly available to people using the service.
Staff consistently explained patients’ rights under the MHA in a clear and accessible manner, repeating information when necessary and documenting these discussions appropriately. Patients were supported to take Section 17 leave when authorised, with processes in place to ensure this was facilitated safely and without delay.
Where required, staff sought input from a Second Opinion Appointed Doctor (SOAD). Detention paperwork and associated documents, including Section 17 leave forms, were stored securely and were accessible to relevant staff.
Regular audits of MHA practice were undertaken, demonstrating good levels of compliance. There was clear evidence that learning and improvement actions were implemented in response to audit findings.
Compliance with Mental Capacity Act (MCA) training was high, with 93% of staff having completed the training. Staff showed a good understanding of the MCA, particularly the five statutory principles, and were able to apply these in practice. The provider maintained an up-to-date MCA and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) policy. Staff were aware of this policy, could easily access it, and knew how to obtain further advice regarding MCA and DoLS where needed.
Staff took all reasonable steps to support individuals to make their own decisions. Where there were concerns about a person’s capacity, assessments were carried out and recorded appropriately on a decision-specific basis, with a clear rationale documented.
When individuals lacked capacity, best interest decision-making processes were followed appropriately. Staff involved relevant professionals and relatives, taking into account the individual’s wishes, feelings, cultural background, and personal history. The service had effective systems in place to monitor compliance with the MCA, supporting consistent and lawful practice.