The Priory Hospital in Marchwood upgraded by CQC inspectors from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’

A MENTAL health hospital in Marchwood which last year was graded as ‘requires improvement’ has been upgraded by care inspectors.

Following an unannounced inspection, The Priory Hospital in Marchwood Park was given a ‘good’ grade, and praised for carrying out regular emergency scenario simulations.

Staff acted out emergencies including a cardiac arrest, a patient going missing, and a suspected poisoning. Debriefing sessions were held afterwards to look at “what could be learned”, and the findings reported to a clinical governance meeting.

The watchdog’s report found wards at the Priory were “safe and clean” and well staffed, and management was priased for “following good practice with respect to safeguarding”.

Staff were found to “work well together”, while also treating patients with “compassion and kindness” and respecting their “privacy and dignity”.

Leadership was said to “lead by example”, and staff felt “well supported”.

Patients also praised the hospital, with many saying they found the wards “calm, settled and well-run” thanks to the staff being “kind and thoughtful”.

However, inspectors found the hospital used a high number of agency staff, and patients and staff raised concerns over the competency of agency workers on an eating disorder ward.

The Priory was rated ‘good’ in every category, including whether services were safe, effective, well-led and responsive to patients’ needs.