A HOSPITAL caring for adults with a range of psychiatric conditions is making good progress after being criticised by healthcare watchdogs.

The Bluebell Ward at Prospect Park Hospital received an unannounced focused inspection in May after concerns were raised about the service.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) previously slammed the hospital for ignoring vulnerable patients and served three requirement notices.

Bluebell was rated 'Good' during the last comprehensive inspection a year ago, but the CQC raised concerns about patient safety and the treatment on offer.

The report said: "There were concerns about dignity and respect in some areas, for instance on Bluebell Ward and Daisy Ward the en-suite privacy curtains in the double bedroom areas did not provide adequate privacy or dignity when using the shower and toilet facilities.

"On the wards for people with a learning disability not all staff were able to adequately communicate with people using appropriate means of communication. We observed some staff ignoring a patient's request for attention.

"Bluebell ward had the highest use of rapid tranquillisation with 17 incidents of its use.

"On the high dependency unit at Prospect Park which is part of the acute inpatient wards for adults, we found that the unit did not afford those subject to long term segregation their rights, as defined by the Mental Health Act 1983."

Natasha Sloman, CQC's head of hospital inspections for the south east, said there was still work to to be done at Bluebell despite improvements.

She added: “Since our last inspection we found the trust is working to meet the requirements we set out at our last focussed inspection.

"Some changes which were required have now been implemented and embedded to ensure they make a real difference to the lives of people using these services.

“There is still some work to be done. We know that the trust has taken our concerns very seriously and we are working closely with them to ensure that people are provided with safe, compassionate and high quality care whilst these improvements are being made.

“We will return in due course to check on the trust’s progress to make sure the improvements we have seen are sustained.”