Thumbs up for mental health hospitals (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Thumbs up for mental health hospitals

1:06pm Saturday 4th August 2007 in Chard By News Correspondent

MENTAL health hospitals in Somerset have been given the thumbs up in an inspection by the Healthcare Commission.

All of Somerset's seven mental health hospitals have been rated good' or excellent' for the standards of cleanliness, quality of their food and privacy and dignity shown to patients.

NHS hospitals and health facilities are required to carry out a Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT) inspection every year.

advertisementA self-assessment is conducted against strict criteria set by the Healthcare Commission and the Commission's own inspectors can visit at any time to verify the quality of monitoring.

Following the inspection results, chief executive, Edward Colgan, said: "For patients affected by anxiety, depression and severe mental ill health, the quality of the environment, food and privacy shown to them can be an intrinsic part of the healing and recovery process itself.

"No-one wants to stay in grim, unattractive surroundings with food to match. Somerset Partnership Trust has always taken such matters very seriously and I am pleased to say this is reflected in the high rating we have been given the national service inspectors."

The inspection reviewed everything from the cleanliness of rooms, toilets, corridors, furnishings, linen, and equipment, to the external appearance of buildings.

Patient meals were also assessed for quality, choice of menu and patient satisfaction The quality of food within Holdford and Rydon House, Magnolia House, Orchard Lodge, Phoenix House, Pyrland House, Rowan, Holly and Acacia and St Andrews were all rated excellent', while the quality of the environment, such as décor and cleanliness in all these facilities was rated good'.