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More safety concerns uncovered at mental health trust beset by scandal

Inspectors find nursing associates left in charge of wards at Woodlands Hospital in Salford, and other safeguarding issues such as inadequate staff training
Woodlands Hospital in Salford, where patient safety concerns have been raised by the Care Quality Commission

Inspectors find nursing associates left in charge of wards at Woodlands Hospital in Salford, and other safeguarding issues such as inadequate staff training

Woodlands Hospital in Salford, where patient safety concerns have been raised by the Care Quality Commission
Woodlands Hospital in Salford. Picture: Google Maps

A mental health trust has been told to make urgent safety improvements after inspectors found nursing associates were left in charge of wards.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued a warning notice to Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust following an unannounced inspection of inpatient wards for older people at Woodlands Hospital in Salford.

Lack of basic safety training and ‘qualified nurse cover’

Inspectors highlighted a lack of registered nurses and found staff had not completed basic training needed to keep patients safe. Staff turnover and sickness rates were high.

‘We had significant concerns about lack of qualified nurse cover, with frequent occasions where one nurse was allocated to more than one ward and registered nurse associates allocated as the nurse in charge,’ the CQC report states.

Nursing shortages have been an ongoing problem at the trust, which hit the headlines last year when a BBC Panorama investigation featured undercover footage showing staff bullying, humiliating and mocking patients at the Edenfield Centre in Prestwich, Manchester.

Some members of staff at the Edenfield Centre in Prestwich, Manchester, were filmed using ‘inappropriate’ restraint with one patient
Some members of staff at the Edenfield Centre in Prestwich, Manchester, were filmed using ‘inappropriate’ restraint with one patient. Picture: BBC

The trust – which has been placed into NHS England’s Recovery Support Programme – has also been under scrutiny after three young people in its care died within nine months.

Incomplete risk assessments and handovers

The inspection of older adult inpatient wards at Woodlands in November 2022 found staff had not completed mandatory training including life support, prevention of violence and aggression, and safeguarding.

CQC deputy director of operations in the north Karen Knapton said this was affecting staff members’ ability to provide safe care.

Meanwhile risk assessments, care plans and handovers were not being completed appropriately. ‘This was particularly concerning given the staffing pressures on the service and high use of temporary staff,’ said Ms Knapton.

Hospital wards’ safety rating downgraded to ‘inadequate’

The inspection also identified problems with ward environments including broken furniture and fittings, ligature risks and alarm systems that did not always work.

The safety rating for the three wards was downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘inadequate’, while the overall rating for the wards declined from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’.

One nurse at the trust’s Edenfield Centre was filmed saying that a patient ‘needs a good thrashing’
One nurse at the trust’s Edenfield Centre was filmed saying that a patient ‘needs a good thrashing’. Picture: BBC

Trust outlines immediate improvements underway

A spokesperson for the trust said the organisation had taken immediate action to address concerns raised by the CQC.

‘Some of the improvements have included appointing a clinical lead nurse at Woodlands who is focused on the improvement of quality and safety outcomes for patients,’ they said.

‘We are also addressing staffing levels to make sure they are not just safe, but are at the optimum levels needed to deliver the best care possible.’

Other measures put in place include ensuring temporary staff have the same access to systems and training as permanent staff, and improvements to the physical environment and equipment with weekly checks to ensure standards are maintained.


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