We carried out this inspection due to incidents of patient safety, which had taken place. The incidents had happened on Tunstall Ward which was for women with mental health needs, therefore we only visited this ward.

During the inspection we spoke with six patients, the ward manager and four members of staff.

We observed the experiences of patients on the ward. We saw that staff treated patients with dignity and respect.

We saw that each patient's care record included Individual detailed risk assessments and intervention plans. They were kept up to date because they were reviewed regularly.

We found there were sufficient qualified and experienced staff to meet the needs of the patients.

We found there was an effective quality assurance system on the ward.

We spoke with a patient who told us "The hospital is lovely. Some people are not as happy being here, as it isn’t near town so it is less easy to pop out to the shops. But I think it is ok. Its lovely decorated, and there is plenty of room for us. There are quiet lounges and the TV lounge."

Another patient said "The ward had been alright. The staff are very friendly, really helpful."

We visited this hospital as part of our ongoing work within the region to gain reassurances about the quality of health and care services for people with a learning disability. This follows on from the thematic review of learning disability services that took place in 2011. A sample of services was identified as part of this work, of which Lanchester Road was one. We inspected all five wards at this hospital which provide services for people with a learning disability.

We spoke with a number of people who used the service and relatives across all five wards. They told us that they were happy with the care they or their relative received.

We found that people who used the service had safe and appropriate care, treatment and support. This was because their individual needs were established from when they were referred to or started to use the service. The model of Positive Behaviour Support was used to treat and support people on the Bek, Ramsey and Talbot wards. This was observed to have a positive impact on people’s behaviours and their progress towards discharge from the service.

However, the provider may find it useful to note we found staff on Harland and Langley had not been trained in Positive Behavioural Support and people who used the service did not always have detailed “functional assessments”.

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people’s safety and welfare.

We found people who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. The provider responded appropriately to any allegation of abuse. People who used the service were protected against the risk of unlawful or excessive control or restraint because the provider had made suitable arrangements.