17th to 18th July 2018
During a routine inspection
We rated the Priory Hospital Hemel Hempstead as good because:
- The wards were clean, presentable and very well maintained.
- Rotas examined showed that the actual nurse numbers matched the estimated number on most shifts.
- Staff undertook a risk assessment of every patient on admission and updated this every six months and after every incident.
- Staff could explain what a safeguarding incident was and how to raise an alert.
- We found that staff received feedback from investigation of incidents and that staff were aware of lessons learnt.
- Staff completed comprehensive and timely assessments and physical examinations for all patients on admission.
- The percentage of non-medical staff that had an appraisal in the last 12 months was 100%.
- We saw positive caring interactions between the staff and patients in the service.
- Patients were involved in their care planning. All patients were given copies of their care plans unless they said that they did not want a copy.
- Patients had open access to outside space during the day, in line with the Mental Health Act Code of Practice guidance.
- The provider had set visions and values. We saw that the vision and values were displayed across the service and embedded into staff day to day practice.
- Staff knew the senior managers in the organisation and confirmed that they were often visible on the wards were accessible, and listened to staff when needed.
- Managers had a strong influence and good oversight of the wards.
- The provider submitted training data prior to inspection of mandatory training, which showed compliance of 82%. Overall training figures on the day of inspection for mandatory training, was 96% for permanent staff and 88% for bank staff.
However:
- There was not always a sufficient number of staff on Wren ward. We found that the number of staff did not reflect care needs.
- Of the 30 medication charts reviewed two (eight percent), did not have an up to date treatment form attached.
- The quality of some of the Mental Capacity Act assessments were not comprehensive.
- We found that not all staff were in receipt of regular supervision. The data given by the provider showed that 81% of staff were in receipt of supervision, against a provider target of 93%.
- There was no disabled access to Dovecote.