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

Archived: Stoddart House

University Hospital Aintree, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool, Merseyside, L9 7AL (0151) 529 3782

Provided and run by:
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

18 November 2014

During a routine inspection

Due to medical conditions some patients were not able to describe their experiences in detail but two patients said they were appropriately cared for. We spoke with seven ward staff, the pharmacist, four doctors and the Modern Matron. The inspection was carried out by two inspectors, a Mental Health Act reviewer, a pharmacy inspector and a physician. We considered all the evidence we gathered under the outcomes we inspected. We used the information to answer the five questions we always ask:

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found.

Is the service safe?

We saw people were being cared for in an environment which was clean. Risk assessments were in place. For health, safety and security reasons, visitors were asked to sign in and out of the unit. We heard when there were not enough staff to meet patients' needs, regular bank staff who were familiar with the ward were used.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) are part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). The MCA is designed to protect people who lack the ability to make decisions for themselves due to mental capacity difficulties. The aim is to make sure people in hospitals and care homes are looked after in a way which does not restrict their freedom inappropriately.

Is the service effective?

People's needs were assessed and their relatives were involved in planning and reviewing their care. Where people were detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) their capacity to understand their treatment was assessed.

Is the service caring?

We saw that patients' distress levels were responded to calmly and staff supported people with dignity when they were distressed.

Where patients needed to be closely monitored, staff engaged with them in activities that had been identified as being beneficial within their care plan.

Is the service responsive?

The records we saw confirmed care and support had been provided in accordance with people's preferences and diverse needs.

Is the service well-led?

We saw quality assurance processes were in place to make sure the provider monitored the care provided and made improvements where necessary.

29 August 2012

During a themed inspection looking at Dignity and Nutrition

People told us what it was like to be a patient at Stoddart House. They described how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. They also told us about the quality and choice of food and drink available. This was because this inspection was part of a themed inspection programme to assess whether older people in hospitals were treated with dignity and respect and whether their nutritional needs were met.

The inspection team was led by a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector joined by a practising professional and an Expert by Experience, who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.

We also used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a specific way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

During our inspection we visited two wards, both of which provided care to older people. We spoke with four patients and two relatives during our visit and comments included: The staff were 'very nice people', staff were 'very pleasant and always remained calm', it's 'very good here', 'staff are marvellous here and my relative is really much happier now'.