The 26-bed Cygnet hospital, on Rufford Colliery Lane, Mansfield, provides inpatient services for people with a learning disability and/or autism, and was rated Good for being Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led following its latest inspection. Inspectors highlighted the hospital’s compassionate, person-centred care and the exceptional experiences shared by patients and their families.
Throughout the report, inspectors praised the quality of care, the environment and the strong partnerships staff have built with patients and their loved ones. As part of the inspection, the regulator spoke with carers and one relative praised the service saying: “You really can tell the staff genuinely care. Nothing is ever too much trouble and based on the way my son is now I honestly wish they would use Sherwood Lodge as a blueprint for the other hospitals across the country.”
The CQC said Cygnet Sherwood Lodge provided “a safe, therapeutic, and person-centred environment focused on recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration,” adding that care and treatment were delivered “to a high standard.”
Inspectors found people felt safe, supported and genuinely cared for by staff, who were consistently described as “kind, compassionate, approachable, and respectful.”
The report read: “Staff were attentive to individual needs and provided support in a manner that promoted dignity and respect, ensuring that people felt listened to, involved, and valued throughout their care and treatment journey.”
Inspectors spoke with eight people using the service and four relatives, with feedback overwhelmingly positive about the care and support provided.
One relative said: “We visit our son regularly and there’s always staff around. They are really engaging and always welcoming. I can honestly say the staff definitely do all they can to keep our son safe.”
Another family member praised the team’s collaborative approach, telling inspectors: “I am involved in my son’s care and treatment; staff really do include me in decisions, I feel listened to and when I ask for anything the staff are always very quick to get me what I need.”
Patients also shared how much they valued the support they receive. One person told inspectors: “All the staff are great, and they care for me very well. My mum and dad are happy too, and they know that the staff really care about me.”
Another family member highlighted how the service helps maintain important family relationships, saying: “I live quite a distance from the hospital, but staff bring my son home every month to spend the day with me which means a lot to us.”
A further relative added: “Sherwood Lodge give my son everything he needs. He has been in many different hospitals over the years, and not one of them has come close to this one. All the care and support is personal to my son. I can’t fault them, and my son loves the staff.”
The CQC also praised the hospital’s extensive therapeutic programme, noting that people had access to a wide range of psychological therapies, vocational and educational opportunities and structured activities that supported recovery and independence.
Inspectors highlighted the hospital’s Forest School programme, where people take part in gardening, nature-based activities, teamwork exercises and practical tasks designed to build confidence, self-esteem and life skills in an outdoor environment. The report said the programme “improved people’s personal, social, and emotional life skills, boosted self-esteem and provided a sense of self-worth.”
Inspectors also recognised the service’s commitment to helping people stay connected with their families and local communities. The report highlighted regular family and carer events, including barbecues, where relatives can spend quality time with loved ones, meet staff and access additional support. One member of staff told inspectors: “Having the event days helps us to foster a culture of inclusion, and meaningful relationship building.”
People were also supported to take part in a broad range of meaningful activities including swimming, cycling, gardening, arts and crafts, social outings, vocational training, education and community projects. Inspectors noted that patients were working alongside local residents on a land reclamation and regeneration scheme, helping build confidence while making a positive contribution to the local community.
Inspectors also praised the personalised approach to care through the hospital’s “All About Me” documents, which ensure staff fully understand each person’s communication needs, preferences and triggers to deliver highly individualised support.
Leadership at the hospital also received strong praise by the regulator. The CQC said leaders promoted “a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and staff wellbeing,” while fostering an environment where colleagues felt valued, supported and able to speak openly.
Staff described leaders as visible, approachable and responsive, with one colleague telling inspectors: “Management are incredibly supportive and they have done so much for me, I feel happy and secure.”
Highlighting the positive outcomes achieved, inspectors noted: “Personal goals included building confidence, progressing in community-based activities, and preparing for future transitions. People successfully rejoined their communities, which demonstrated improved independence, resilience, and sustainable recovery.
“People were encouraged, and supported to engage in vocational training, education courses, gymnasium classes, and groups within their local communities, which promoted skill building, confidence, and resilience.”
Verity Allsop, Hospital Manager, said: “We are incredibly proud of this report, but what means the most to us is the feedback from the people we support and their families. Knowing that relatives feel listened to, involved and reassured that their loved ones are receiving compassionate, personalised care is the greatest recognition our team could receive.
“We are committed to creating an environment where every person has the opportunity to develop greater independence, achieve their goals and maintain strong relationships with the people who matter most to them.
“This recognition will continue to motivate us as we build on the excellent work of our team and support more people to achieve positive outcomes, develop confidence and progress towards fulfilling lives.”