The Priory Hospital Preston

Updated 26 September 2022

Priory Hospital Preston is a 38-bedded independent mental health hospital, specialising in the management and treatment of acute mental ill health and eating disorders. The hospital was opened in 1998. The hospital has three wards: Bartle Ward (an eating disorder service for males and females with ten beds; Rosemary Ward (an acute mental health ward for males and females with 16 beds); and Cottam Ward (also an acute mental health ward for males and females with 12 beds).

The service was last inspected in November 2017, the report was published in March 2018. The overall rating of the service was good, but with requires improvement for the key question safe. There was no female only lounge on Bartle Ward at the time of that inspection, and that breach has since been actioned accordingly by the service. At the last inspection in November 2017 the specialist eating disorder service was not rated, but has been rated at this inspection.

The service is regulated for the activities of assessment or medical treatment for persons detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, and treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The service has a registered manager. The service has a controlled drugs responsible officer.

The main service provided by this hospital was acute mental health inpatient services for adults. Where our findings on the acute mental health adult service – for example, management arrangements – also apply to other services, we do not repeat the information but cross-refer to the acute mental health adult service findings.

What people who use the service say

Patients were very positive about the service. We were told that staff were polite, respectful, and always available when patients wanted to speak to them. Stakeholders at the service were also positive, stating that the relationship with the service was good, and that staff and management were attentive and responsive, listening and reacting during discussions about patient care.

We received ten comment cards from patients on the acute admission and assessment wards, that were all positive, they spoke highly of the service and the staff. On the specialist eating disorder service we received three comment cards from patients that provided mixed feedback but spoke highly of the service and the staff.

Updated 26 September 2022

• The service provided safe care. The ward environments were safe and clean. The wards had enough nursing and medical staff. Staff assessed and managed risk well. They minimised the use of restrictive practices, managed medicines safely and followed good practice in safeguarding.
• Staff developed holistic, recovery-oriented care plans informed by a comprehensive assessment. They provided a range of treatments suitable to the needs of the patients and in line with national guidance about best practice.
• The ward teams included to the full range of specialists required to meet the needs of patients on the wards. Managers ensured that these staff received training, supervision and appraisal, though in the specialist eating disorder service but compliance rates on training completion on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 could be improved. Supervision and appraisal rates were progressing toward the provider compliance rate.. The ward staff worked well together as a multidisciplinary team and with those outside the ward who would have a role in providing aftercare.
• Staff understood and discharged their roles and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and understood the individual needs of patients. They actively involved patients and families and carers in care decisions.
• The service managed beds well, aiming to maintain bed occupancy targets. Patients were discharged promptly once their condition warranted this, unless external circumstances to the service delayed discharge.
• The service was well-led and the governance processes ensured that ward procedures ran smoothly.

The eating disorder service is a small proportion of hospital activity. The main service was acute wards for adults of working age. Where arrangements were the same, we have reported findings in the acute wards for adults of working age section.

We rated both core, and the overall services as good, because it was safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well led.

Updated 26 September 2022

Updated 26 September 2022