Patients and relatives have praised the care at Cygnet Hospital Harrogate following a 'Good' rating from inspectors.
The hospital on Ripon Road was rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with the same rating across all five inspection areas: safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
One patient told inspectors they had “been in lots of hospitals, but this is the best”, while another described it as the “best hospital” they had experienced out of five where they had been an inpatient.
The report said:
“There were additional comments that ‘all staff treat me with respect and dignity’ and ‘the staff have been so kind and supportive, they have made a real difference to my stay here’.”
Another patient said that “staff go above and beyond to help you to grow and recover”.
The hospital comprises two acute admission wards: Haven Ward, which has 19 beds for men, and Sanctuary Ward, which has 17 beds for women.
One relative expressed her “gratitude and appreciation for the team” and said she “had hope for the first time in years”.
She described Sanctuary Ward as “very patient centred” and said her loved one felt “safe and like she could engage”.
Another relative told inspectors their loved one had been listened to when they requested access to green space to meditate and stretch to support their mental and physical health.
Inspectors highlighted how patients were involved in decisions about their care, with opportunities to give feedback during one-to-one sessions with their named nurse and through community meetings.
The report said:
“We observed patients attending their ward rounds and being empowered as partners in their care and being provided with information they needed on treatments to make informed choices.”
The CQC described the service as “exceptional at promoting people’s independence”, with patients supported to understand their rights and have choice and control over their care.
Activities available included green walks, chair yoga, shopping and cooking, badminton, and access to the gym and tennis courts.
The report said:
“As part of the activity planning process, patients were given choices of activities to participate in, for example, three different choices on a particular day, so that they could choose what suited them.”
The hospital also used an expert by experience — someone with personal experience of inpatient services or caring for someone who had used them — to help ensure patients’ views were heard and acted upon.
Inspectors praised staff’s knowledge of patients and their teamwork. Stakeholders described the hospital’s multidisciplinary team meetings as “brilliant” and highlighted staff’s “immense knowledge of the patients”.
The CQC said:
“Observations during the inspection showed positive, respectful interactions between staff and patients, with survey results indicating that most patients felt cared for, supported, safe and involved in decisions about their care.”
The report also highlighted support for patients’ cultural, spiritual and communication needs, including interpreters, a multifaith room and personalised dietary arrangements.
Inspectors noted low staff turnover, with staff reporting that they were happy and wanted to remain with the organisation.
The report said:
“A common theme in our discussions with staff was that they felt supported, respected, valued and safe, working at Cygnet Hospital Harrogate.”
The CQC described the service as having “exceptionally inclusive leaders at all levels”.
The report added:
“Staff described a positive, open and non-hierarchical culture where they felt supported, listened to and able to raise concerns, with leaders visible and actively involved in ward life.”
Hospital manager Gavin Clark said:
“We are incredibly pleased with the findings of the CQC inspection and, in particular, the recognition of the high-quality care and support provided to our patients.
“I am extremely proud of our whole team and the way they work together to ensure people receive personalised, safe and effective care.
"The report highlights the strong relationships between our multidisciplinary teams, our focus on involving patients in decisions about their care, and the positive culture across the hospital.
“It is also fantastic to see the wonderful feedback from those we support and their loved ones.
"Our focus always remains on providing the highest standards of care for them and helping every individual in our care make meaningful progress towards their goals.”
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