The Care Quality Commission
  • Mental Health
  • NHS mental health service

Archived: Riverside Unit

Blackberry Hill Hospital, Manor Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 2EW (0117) 970 1212

Provided and run by:
North Bristol NHS Trust

All Inspections

9 December 2013

During a routine inspection

The application of the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983 for detained patients was monitored by the Mental Health Act Commissioners (MHAC) who also visited this unit during the inspection. At the time of our visit there were no detained patients but the MHAC looked at the statutory documentation relating to a previous patients detention, reviewed the ward environment and spoke with ward staff. The commissioner will complete a separate report detailing the findings but some have been incorporated in this report.

We spoke with four young people who were each receiving in-patient care. The day we visited no young people were attending on a day-programme basis. They told us 'I have been here a week. It was very strange at first but I am getting used to things' and 'It is understandably strict but it is for my benefit'. One young person said 'I find that my primary nurse provided the most beneficial support'.

Each young person's needs were assessed and their care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. Significant improvements had been made in the care planning process. Plans were detailed and provided a holistic overview of the young person's needs. The young people were provided with a choice of suitable and nutritious food and drink.

Riverside Unit was a separate building based within the grounds of Blackberry Hill Hospital. It had been recently refurbished and provided single bedrooms for up to 10 young people.

2 January 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We did not involve the group of young people who were using the service at the time of our follow up visit, or the staff team. We spent our time with the manager.

We found that the necessary improvements had been made with the way staff recorded consent, capacity and confidentiality issues in respect of the young people who used the service. The trust had also introduced new assessment and care planning documentation. This meant that there were now personalised care, treatment and support records in place for each young person.

14 June 2012

During a routine inspection

The monitoring of the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983 is carried out primarily by Mental Health Act commissioners. They visit all NHS Trusts and independent providers with detained patients. A Mental Health Act commissioner participated in this inspection visit. The commissioner met those young patients who were detained, in private, examined statutory documentation relating to their detention, reviewed the ward environment and spoke to ward staff. There will be a separate report, written by the commissioner of their findings.

We were able to speak with nine young people when we visited. Some of them were in-patients and some were attending on a day-programme basis. One young person said 'I was really worried about coming in but everyone is very kind. They make sure I understand everything and agree to things'. Another young person said 'I was asked by what name I wanted to be called'.

We also received the following comments in respect of how young people's care and welfare needs were met. 'I am getting the help I need and feel so much better about things than when I first came here', 'we all look out for each other and support each other', and 'the staff are helping me face up to my problems'.

One young person we spoke with said 'I feel very safe here', another said 'everyone is polite and kind to me'.

We found during our inspection that improvements were needed in two specific areas. The way in which the staff recorded the young person's consent to their care and treatment plans needed to be improved. Improvements were also required in the way staff recorded the specific details about the young person's care and treatment programme, so that effective review could take place.