SAFETY concerns about an independent mental health hospital have been raised in a new report from health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors visited the Cygnet Hospital Wyke, Huddersfield Road, in early November.

The visit was unannounced and the CQC said it was prompted by "notifications of seven incidents following which two patients using the service sustained serious injuries".

An inspection report said the incidents "may be subject to criminal investigation" by the CQC, so the circumstances of these were not examined at this inspection.

"However, the information shared with CQC about these incidents indicated potential concerns about the management of risk such as falls from height, ligature risks, environmental risks, observation and engagement and staffing, this focussed inspection examined those risks," the report said.

Inspectors said that between May 20, 2018 and October 30, 2018, there had been seven "serious incidents" at the hospital, which included the deaths of two patients.

The CQC said it has already taken urgent enforcement action to ensure improvements are made to the safety and management of the hospital. The report said the hospital has begun to work on these improvements and is engaging with the CQC.

Inspectors said: "People were not safe and were at high risk of avoidable harm. This was because the safety systems, processes and standard operating procedures in place

were not fit for purpose. This had caused unacceptable levels of serious incidents and incidents of harm to patients."

Analysis of incidents recorded by the hospital showed that between March 1, 2018 and October 31, 2018 there was an incident of violence approximately twice per day at the hospital.

The CQC said staffing levels were not adequate, agency staffing was not well managed, staff had not completed all mandatory training, did not assess risk adequately, and did not carry out observations of patients as prescribed.

Concern was also raised about the safeguarding, in that not all incidents were reported to the relevant bodies.

Inspectors said the hospital was not well led and staff "had low levels of morale and were highly stressed, they felt unable to raise concerns".

A Cygnet Health Care spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the CQC’s recent inspection of Cygnet Hospital Wyke, and the issues that have been raised with regards to the service that we provide. Immediately following the inspection, and ahead of the publication of the CQC report, we put an improvement plan in place to address all the concerns raised. A new hospital manager, who was appointed in November, is also now in place. We are working collaboratively with the CQC, who are fully aware of the comprehensive changes we are making to ensure our services match the standards required. We are confident that the CQC will see evidence of significant and widespread improvements at their next inspection.

“Patient care remains our top priority, and we are committed to continuously improving our procedures, protocols and training, which we recognise are all critical to providing the highest standards of healthcare.”