A hospital that cares for children and young people with eating disorders and other complex mental health conditions has been awarded a ‘good’ rating by the care regulator.

The Care Quality Commission report published on Thursday says that staff at the Huntercombe Hospital in Huntercombe Lane South, Taplow 'treated young people with compassion and kindness and actively involved young people, their families and carers in care decisions’.

The report highlights steps the hospital has taken to be more ‘young-person friendly’, educating patients on cyber bulling, providing them with LGBT support, communicating in British sign language and using canine-assisted therapy. Young people can now also keep smartphones and tablets with them during their stay, subject to individual risk assessment and access online movie streaming services.

The CQC also cites initiatives to enhance staff wellbeing, such as the creation of a welfare area in a cabin-style building in the hospital grounds, where staff can take a break away from the ward environment. There is also a new health and wellbeing training programme for staff, giving them the chance to gain coaching qualifications and to train in mental health first aid.

Alan Malin, hospital manager said: “We want the children and young people we care for to feel as ‘at home’ as possible when they stay with us. We aim to help them to be their authentic selves and to become better members of the community. I am really proud both of what we have achieved so far to make this happen, and to receive this praise from the CQC.

“Enhancing the wellbeing of our staff, who are the backbone to our services, is also so important to us and I am delighted our efforts have been recognised by the CQC too.”