Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust told two wards require significant improvement
The CQC delivered their findings after an inspection in October©
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust significant improvements are needed on two of their acute wards.
The wards in question provide round the clock treatment and care to those experiencing severe mental health problems.
The inspection, which took place in October, was initially carried out after the CQC received concerns about the safety and quality of the services in the wards.
After the inspection, the CQC asked the Trust to submit information demonstrating how they would improve upon the situation, but they were not fully assured by the answers and issued a warning to the Trust.
What did the CQC say?
Ceri Morris-Williams, CQC deputy director of mental health in the East of England, said:
“Our inspection into the acute wards for adults of working age at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust raised some very serious concerns about people’s safety.
“Staff weren’t always following the trust’s own policies regarding people’s observations. Patients told inspectors they had seen staff falling asleep while they were on duty. Our inspectors reviewed data and found two instances where staff were reported to be asleep while undertaking observations.
“We also found blanket restrictions in place which stopped people from accessing the gardens, bedrooms, bathrooms and toilets this is unacceptable. Leaders need to find ways to give people the basic freedoms they are entitled to whilst keeping them safe."
She added: "Due to our concerns, we have suspended the ratings for this service and that will remain the case until we publish the findings of our most recent, full inspection which took place in January.
“We’ll continue to monitor the service very closely to ensure people are safe and that improvements are made and fully embedded. If the required improvements are not made in a timely manner, we won’t hesitate to take further action to keep vulnerable people safe.”
What did the Trust say?
A spokesperson for Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT) said:
“The care and safety of our patients is our number one priority and we welcome the CQC’s support. Over the last two years we’ve delivered many improvements that benefit our patients – these include spending £20m on improving the environments on our wards to make them both safer and more therapeutic, as well as working with our staff on improvements to the way in which they support and care for people who are suffering a mental health crisis.
We know there is more to do and we continue to drive forward in collaboration with the people using our services, their families and carers.”