The Chichester Centre provides a pathway of low secure care and treatment from medium secure through to secure community services. All patients admitted to the unit have been assessed as requiring a low secure environment to receive care and treatment for their mental health condition. We were told that the objective of the unit was to manage risk, reduce further offending and support the patients’ recovery using the least restrictive methods available

This was a joint inspection carried out with the Mental Health Act Commissioners. At this unannounced inspection we spoke with eleven patients, eight members of staff and senior representatives of the Trust who attended for part of the inspection. Many of the patients we spoke with had complex mental health needs and in order to get a better understanding of their care and treatment we observed care practices, looked at records and spoke with staff.

The majority of patients were complimentary about the kindness of the staff, their involvement in their treatment and therapeutic activities. All of the patients told us that they felt safe at the hospital and that they were always treated with respect. One patient commented that staff were “Understanding” and “Helpful” and that the ward manager was “Very good. Always willing to take concerns on board.” We found evidence that patients had been consulted with and wherever possible had been involved in the planning of their own care. Patients praised the mental health advocate service available and told us that in general they received the care and support they needed.

We found that the Trust has systems and processes in place to provide staff with training and development. Staff told us that they felt supported by their line manager and the Trust; however we noted that there were times when the staffing rotas indicated there were insufficient staff on duty to meet the assessed needs of patients. Patients told us that when this happened staff became stressed and the atmosphere on the wards deteriorated.

There were systems and processes in place to monitor and audit the quality of care provided. Patients told us they felt safe and that they could raise any concerns or complaints with the staff confident it would be acted upon.