We inspected Heathfield House Specialist Services in November 2012. We looked at the handling of medicines on the Cobden Unit and Bevan Place. We saw that that the administration of medication did not always promote people’s privacy and methods of patient identification on the Cobden Unit did not include a photograph. We found that people who received medication for physical health care needs did not always have a detailed care plan available. Medication administration records did not clearly identify the reasons why people’s medications were omitted and records for people who were self medicating were not always clearly recorded.

We received an action plan from the provider in January 2013 and an updated plan in March 2013.

At this inspection visit we spoke with a person who received a service. They told us that they were supported to self administer their medications. They said they understood why their medication was prescribed and told us that their care plan was discussed with them.

Staff confirmed that they followed the Trust’s medication policy to make sure medication was administered to the right person. We found that medication administration practices on both Bevan Place and the Cobden Unit had been reviewed and action taken to ensure people received their medication in a more private environment. Medication records and care plans had also been reviewed and improved.

We visited three wards. The Cobden Unit and Bevan Place, both located within Stepping Hill Hospital, and Hurst Place, which is located at Tameside General Hospital. A pharmacist inspector and a Mental Health Act Commissioner (MHAC) also contributed to this inspection.

We spoke with people who received services on each of the wards. They told us that they felt involved in their treatment and care. One person told us about their planned discharge and confirmed that staff involved them in their care plan. They said staff, “Do keep me abreast of it”.

The sample of care files we looked at were detailed and comprehensive. They contained evidence that people were involved in their care and their legal rights under the Mental Health Act 1983 were protected.

We heard that people’s cultural and religious needs were respected and supported.

We checked the management of medication on two of the wards and found some practices needed to be improved.

We observed positive interactions between people and staff. We heard that staff were “Alright” and “Okay”. One person said “I’m a lot better now”, “They’ve [the staff] helped me a lot here”.

Staff told us that they received training, had regular meetings to discuss their progress and felt supported to do their job.

Reporting and monitoring systems of safeguarding incidents and complaints were in place. People told us that they would raise any issues or concerns they had with the ward manager.