Cygnet Churchill, in south London, is a 57 bed inpatient mental health hospital for men. Cygnet Churchill has four wards including an emergency acute admissions service (Juniper Ward) and three high dependency inpatient rehabilitation services (Elm Court, Maple Court and Mulberry Court).
The latest report follows an inspection on 11th October 2022 and during the course of their visit inspectors spoke to seven service users and 18 members of staff. As a result the service maintained its ‘Good’ rating.
The full report, published on the CQC website, highlights many areas of positive practice, including:
- Service users told inspectors that staff always had smiles on their faces, that staff were friendly, and they were supported to attend external appointments and activities.
- One service user told inspectors Cygnet Churchill was the best hospital they had been in.
- Staff helped service users live healthier lives by supporting them to take part in programmes or giving advice.
- Staff from different disciplines worked together as a team to benefit service users. They supported each other to make sure service users had no gaps in their care.
- Staff directed service users to other services and supported them to access those services if they needed help.
- Staff involved service users in their care planning. Service user views were included in their care plans, in their own words.
- Staff said they found their managers to be visible and approachable. They could get support from them when they needed it.
- Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They said the hospital promoted equality and diversity in daily work and provided opportunities for development.
- Feedback was encouraged, and service users were supported to provide feedback in a way that was best for them. Feedback could be given in community meetings, people’s council meetings, direct to staff, or through the formal complaints procedure.
In addition the report also singled out the hospital’s therapeutic earnings programme for service users as outstanding practice. The programme provides opportunities for paid roles such as shopping assistant, dining room assistant and service user representative.
Theo Bello, Hospital Manager, said “The outcome of this comprehensive inspection by the CQC is as a result of a collective effort by service users, carers, all our stakeholders and staff irrespective of areas of work. I have nothing but praise and admiration to all staff who have pulled together and shown dedication, resilience and pursuance of excellence in all they do. The contribution of our Quality Assurance team cannot be overemphasised. Thank you all.
“We have put in all our effort to improve the lives of those who make contact with our hospital, but there is more work to be done. Although we can be proud of our good rating, we must not rest on our oars. I believe the Cygnet Churchill team is now ready to achieve an outstanding outcome.”
For more information about Cygnet Churchill please click here.