We spoke with six patients who told us they were happy with the services provided by the ward. They told us members of staff were polite and respectful. One person told us how they had been supported throughout their stay and were now going to be discharged to a nursing home. Another person told us they were being well looked after. They told us that the ward had enough members of staff to take care of their needs. One person told us they were looked after by nurses regularly. They told us that someone always came by to see whether they needed anything. Patients told us the place was clean and tidy. People we spoke with were delighted by the care provided by the ward.

We did not speak to people who used this service as part of this review. We looked at a random sample of medical records. This was to check that current practice ensured that no treatment for the termination of pregnancy was commenced unless two certificated opinions from doctors had been obtained.

Solent NHS Trust provides an inpatient service on Spinnaker ward, St Mary’s Hospital. The service provides intermediate care primarily as a step-down facility following discharge from the local acute hospital. The ward also has allocated step- up beds used to avoid admission to the local acute hospital.

Patients and their relatives commented favourably on the care and treatment they or their relative received on the wards. Patients (and/or relatives where appropriate) were involved in decisions about their care and their plans for discharge.

We found the wards delivered safe care and people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. There were systems and processes in place for identifying, investigating and learning from incidents. Patients’ needs were assessed and records indicated that treatment, care and support was provided to meet those needs. There was effective multidisciplinary and multi agency working to ensure that people received care that met their needs, at the right time and without delay. Discharge planning was comprehensive and consistent.The service had employed a social worker to facilitate timely discharge of patients.

Staff followed best practice guidelines when treating and supporting people. There were audit systems in place to check on the quality of care, including the prevention of infections. We saw staff using good hand washing techniques and there were sufficient handwashing facilities throughout the wards.

We found some staff, and in particular those contracted from other organisations, had not completed appropriate training in safeguarding adults, Mental Capacity Act and dementia care.

We found that the care was delivered by caring and compassionate staff. We observed staff treating patients with dignity and respect. The service was responsive to the views and needs of people who used the service. Staff gave us examples of how services had been developed in response to patient feedback.

Spinnaker ward was well-led. Staff told us they felt able to raise concerns and were supported to carry out their job role. Staff were proud to work at the service and aware of the vision and values of the organisation. The service was very effective in monitoring its own performance and had involved patients in this process.