A STEETON hospital has been rated as ‘good’ by a care watchdog.

Three Valleys Hospital achieved the grade, from the Care Quality Commission, across all inspection categories.

The Burley Court site – which caters for up to 43 patients with mental health issues – was deemed to be safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

Inspectors said safety was a high priority for the hospital, which is operated by Elysium Healthcare.

“Patients had detailed and thorough risk assessments in place which staff updated regularly,” said a spokesman.

“There were clearly-defined and embedded systems in place to keep patients safe and safeguard them from abuse.

“People received their medicines as prescribed and medications and equipment were stored safely.”

The inspection team found that staff planned and delivered care and treatment in line with national best practice guidance.

Legislation such as the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act was used appropriately.

And there was praise for the quality of care.

“We observed care that was kind and compassionate and we saw that staff knew the patient group well,” said the spokesman.

“Patients on the rehabilitation wards were encouraged to become active partners in their own care and in the running of the service.

“And within the specialist dementia service, we saw examples of exceptional care where staff had gone the extra mile to provide comfort to patients.”

Inspectors describe the senior leadership team as “experienced and qualified” and said it had “robust governance systems in place to manage, monitor and maintain the safety of the service”.

The spokesman added: “Senior leaders were aware of the challenges faced by the service and had implemented plans to meet these challenges and prevent them from having an impact on the care and treatment of patients.”

The CQC said the service was not always able to provide facilities which promoted comfort, dignity and privacy for patients, but that the hospital director had explained renovation plans would address those concerns.

Also, inspectors said that whilst the service was safe, they had found that staff needed to make improvements to their recording procedures – particularly in relation to the planning of leave and recording patient physical health observations.

Elysium Healthcare was contacted for a comment, but hadn’t responded at the time of going to press.