The service, located on Goshen Street, Rhymney, is celebrating an excellent inspection outcome after the service received a highly positive report from Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW), recognising the dedication, compassion and professionalism of the staff team.
The unannounced inspection, carried out in August, found no areas of non-compliance and highlighted consistently high standards of care, strong leadership and a culture firmly centred on dignity, respect and recovery.
Inspectors praised the commitment of staff to delivering “personalised, safe and effective care”, with positive feedback from both patients and staff reinforcing the strength of the service.
The Cygnet Health Care service provides a 23-bed high dependency inpatient rehabilitation service for women. Commenting on the outcome, Hospital Manager Byron Mtandabari said: “I am incredibly proud of our whole team. This report truly reflects the compassion, commitment and teamwork that our staff show every single day.
“Seeing patients feel safe, valued and supported is at the heart of everything we do, and it is wonderful to see that recognised so clearly by HIW. This achievement belongs to every member of staff who goes above and beyond for the women in our care.”
In its report, HIW highlighted the hospital’s strong focus on person-centred care, noting that patient privacy, dignity and respect were consistently upheld. Inspectors observed kind and compassionate interactions, with staff demonstrating a strong understanding of individual patients’ needs and using this knowledge to provide tailored support and manage challenging behaviours effectively.
The report read: “Staff interactions were consistently kind and respectful, and patients felt valued and supported. The physical environment was designed to uphold privacy, autonomy and comfort.
“Staff were consistently observed engaging respectfully with patients, addressing concerns and supporting personal care needs in a dignified manner. Staff facilitated access to outdoor spaces and social activities and were present during communal engagements such as watching films, demonstrating attentiveness and compassion.
“Staff demonstrated strong knowledge of individual patients, using this understanding to provide tailored support and manage challenging behaviours effectively.”
Patients who responded to questionnaires rated the care as “good” or “very good”, with many reporting that they felt involved in their treatment planning. One patient commented: “It is the best place I have been,” while another said: “I feel happy and safe and I believe the setting is doing all they can to support me.”
The inspection recognised the hospital’s strong commitment to health promotion and wellbeing. Patients had access to a range of facilities including a gym, relaxation rooms, a hairdressing room and outdoor spaces, alongside a wide programme of activities designed to promote independence and recovery.
Inspectors also noted that vocational opportunities, music therapy, animal therapy and occupational therapy interventions supported patients to work towards long-term goals and community reintegration.
The report added: “There was a strong commitment to delivering safe and effective care through well-established staffing practices, clinical governance and patient-centred approaches. Overall, the hospital maintained a safe, effective and person-centred care environment, underpinned by strong teamwork, responsive staffing and a culture of continuous improvement.
“The environment was clean, well-maintained and conducive to wellbeing, with several patients expressing satisfaction with the setting. Patients could engage in various activities. This promoted independence and supported patients in maintaining and improving their health and wellbeing.”
Care planning was described as personalised and collaborative, with patients actively involved in discussions and decision-making. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) plans were embedded in care delivery, and family involvement was evident through regular communication and appropriate information sharing.
HIW also praised the hospital’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, including respectful and inclusive care for transgender patients, as well as clear and accessible communication, with information available in Welsh and other languages.
Strong governance, leadership and workforce management were further highlighted as key strengths. Staff feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing a supportive team culture and high levels of job satisfaction. One staff member said: “Staff genuinely care about the patients in our care. Care is at the centre of everything we do.”
To read the full report, go to: https://www.hiw.org.uk/st-teilo-house.