Health watchdog downgrades rating for children's mental health wards in Oxford
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has received a 'requires improvement' rating from the Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has dropped the rating of the inpatient child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) wards at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust from 'good' to 'requires improvement'.
After an unannounced inspection, the service was found to be in breach of four regulations relating to person-centred care, safe care and treatment, safeguarding, and safe management.
This was from looking into wards at The Meadow and Highfield units at Warneford Hospital in Oxford and Marlborough House in Swindon.
Serena Coleman, CQC deputy director of mental health in the South, said: “When we visited these CAMHS wards, we found a service where management hadn’t kept a firm enough oversight on some issues and young people in their care were feeling the impact of that.
“All of the young people we spoke with said they didn’t feel involved in decisions about their own care. Half of the care plans we reviewed were generic and didn't reflect individual needs or wishes."
She further detailed serious concerns about how restraint was used, as well as limitations for patients.
“Blanket restrictions were also in place across all three wards meaning every young person was subject to rules around accessing snacks, drinks and outdoor space, regardless of their individual circumstances or risk level," Ms Coleman said.
"These are the kinds of restrictions that should only be applied to individuals, and when there’s a clear reason to do so."
Additionally, the CQC found that four young people detained under the Mental Health Act were given medication without the correct treatment authorisation in place.
“What makes these findings more concerning is that the trust's own internal processes hadn’t identified many of them, risking that these concerns will go unaddressed," Ms Coleman added.
However, inspectors did identify positive aspects of the service, pointing to several warm and respectful interactions between staff and young people, as well as carers speaking of it highly.
They also said that support available for physical wellbeing including gym access, yoga and weekly wellbeing clinics was "good".
Serena Coleman said: “The trust knows where it needs to improve and we will monitor them to make sure young people are safe while this happens.”
A spokesperson for NHS Oxford Health Foundation Trust responded saying: “We welcome the CQC’s feedback and are already using it to support our ongoing improvement across our Children and Adolescence wards.
“We understand that inspection outcomes can raise concerns, and we want to reassure patients and families that our focus remains firmly on the wellbeing of the children and young people in our care.
“While we recognise there are areas to improve, we are pleased to have been rated ‘Good’ in both the ‘Caring’ and ‘Effective’ domains, and note that were just below a ‘Good’ rating in two of the five other areas.”