Victoria Centre

Patients told us they were well cared for and felt safe. They said staff were caring and friendly. Some people however complained of boredom and loneliness.

The centre was a modern, purpose built unit which was light, spacious and well maintained. There was separate accommodation for male and female patients to protect people's privacy and dignity.

The unit had a number of staff vacancies and long term absences but was actively recruiting and taking other steps to address this situation. Staff told us that safe staffing levels were maintained by using temporary staff, which some felt was detrimental to continuity of patient care. Some staff were also regularly working additional hours, which caused tiredness and increased stress levels. Ward staff said they appreciated the support of therapists, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists but felt that patients would benefit from more manpower to facilitate more activities and therapeutic support.

We looked at patients' records. Care plans were comprehensive and up to date. They were person centred, providing guidance to staff on how people should be supported. Daily progress notes were also sufficiently detailed to evidence that patients' needs were being met.