Mildmay Oaks

Updated 19 March 2020

Mildmay Oaks is an independent hospital low secure and locked rehabilitation service for men and women with learning disability and autism spectrum conditions and mental illness.

This was the first inspection of the CAMHs provision. It was a focused inspection. The CAMHS service comprises of two separate wards called pods, each for one young person with their own staff team. At the time of the inspection there were two male patients aged 12 and 17 years old. The staff stated this was a bespoke service specially for these young people and would cease once they had left.

Mildmay Oaks is registered to provide the following ‘regulated activities’:

• Assessment or medical treatment for person’s detained under the Mental Health Act
• Treatment of disease, disorder or injury
• Diagnostic and screening procedures

At the time of this inspection there was a new manager in post at this location. The manager had been a registered manager at another service within the organisation and was currently undertaking the registration process to be the registered manager of this service.

Updated 19 March 2020

We rated Mildmay Oaks as good overall because:

• Staff provided a range of care and treatment interventions suitable for the patient group and consistent with national guidance on best practice. They ensured that young people had good access to physical healthcare and supported young people to live healthier lives. The service had enough nursing and medical staff, who knew the young people and received basic training to keep young people safe from avoidable harm. Staff used recognised rating scales to assess and record severity and outcomes.
• The ward teams included or had access to the full range of specialists required to meet the needs of young people on the wards. Managers made sure they had staff with a range of skills needed to provide high quality care. They supported staff with appraisals, supervision and opportunities to update and further develop their skills. Managers provided an induction programme for new staff.
• Staff understood their roles and responsibilities under the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Mental Health Act Code of Practice and discharged these well. Managers made sure that staff could explain young people’ rights to them. Staff supported young people to make decisions on their care for themselves proportionate to their competence. Staff assessed and recorded consent and capacity or competence clearly for young people who might have impaired mental capacity or competence.
• The ward was were safe, clean, well equipped, well furnished, well maintained and fit for purpose.
• Staff assessed and managed risks to young people and themselves well and followed best practice in anticipating, de-escalating and managing challenging behaviour. Staff understood how to protect young people from abuse and the service worked well with other agencies to do so. Managers ensured there were always lessons learnt in relation to incidents
• Leaders had the skills, knowledge and experience to perform their roles, had a good understanding of the services they managed, and were visible in the service and approachable for young people and staff. Governance processes operated effectively at ward level and performance and risk were managed well.

• Staff knew and understood the provider’s vision and values and how they were applied in the work of their team. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They reported that the provider promoted equality and diversity in its day-to-day work and in providing opportunities for career progression. They felt able to raise concerns without fear of retribution.

However:

• There was not a policy abut young people visiting the wards to ensure their safety.

Updated 19 March 2020

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Updated 26 November 2019