Local provider of mental health services responds to latest CQC inspection

News - 14 October 2024

Earlier this year, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected forensic inpatient and secure wards managed by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. The CQC gave a rating of 'requires improvement'.
A blue and white hospital corridor with rooms off to each side.

Comments from the CQC report included:

  • Shifts were cancelled at short notice which meant some shifts were short staffed or covered by agency staff who did not know the patients well. 
  • Although some blanket restrictions had been removed around patients access to fresh air and refreshments, staff told the CQC that some night time restrictions remained in place because staffing levels were not changed to reflect a 24 hour service.
  • Relatives told the CQC they were concerned about the standards of care and the services over reliance on, and the quality of agency staff.
  • Patients told the CQC food choice and quality was poor. The CQC found evidence that the service was slow to respond to concerns raised by patients. 
  • The CQC found regulation breaches concerning safety.

We visited Wellow Ward, a secure ward located at Fromeside, in December 2023 as part of our 'Enter and View' powers. Enter and View means we can visit health and social care services and see them in action. 

What did patients at Fromeside tell Healthwatch?

'They give you an illusion of choice when you talk about your care plan.'

'Patient to Patient it feels unsafe, there are attacks.'

'There are lots of staff changes.'

'I’m a Rastafari and the faith sanctuary has Muslim and Christian books only. There was also no understanding of my food needs.'

Read our Enter and View report.

Vicky Marriott, Chief Officer for Healthwatch Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, said:

"Inpatient Ward Transformation meetings are already underway and are directing the necessary improvements at AWP in relation to inpatient culture. Healthwatch have been at those meetings to reinforce the themes from insights captured during our visit to Wellow Ward. 
 
"We are pleased that Wellow Ward has a new Engagement, Activity and Physical Health Practitioner (EAHP), as well as an Occupational Therapist and access to the therapies area. Patients and families need to be heard, and sharing their experiences will help to bring about improvements."

In a statement on their website, AWP said:

Following a CQC inspection of our forensic inpatient and secure wards in January 2024, the CQC has now published a final report on it’s website: https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RVN

We accept the report’s findings and since the inspection in January 2024 have launched an extensive training programme for staff, and invited external organisations into the service to carry out independent reviews.

We value everyone who works with us but also acknowledge the impact a high use of agency staff can have, and addressing this has been a Trust-wide priority leading to a sustained reduction overall. Within forensic and secure services there has been a 52% reduction in agency use since this inspection, which means we now have a more consistent team in place.

These plans have been supported by both our local Integrated Care Boards (Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB and Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB), and our commissioners, the South West Provider Collaborative, and while we recognise that there remain challenges within the service, we are confident these measures are now improving the overall standards of care for our patients.

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Front cover of our Enter and View summary report, observing local Avon and Wiltshire Partnership inpatient mental health wards

Report: observing local mental health wards

We visited six inpatient wards managed by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership across the local area. Patients and staff told us what's working well, and where improvements are needed.
Report