News Care service


must improve A MAIDSTONE care provider looking aftermore than 150 people has beentoldto improve its service. Following an inspection by the


Care Quality Commission, Mears Care Ltd received a second “re- quires improvement” grading. The inspector visiting the domi-


ciliary care agency in Hermitage Lane heard users and their rela- tives had seen an improvement since the last inspection. But the CQC noted that the management team, had not fully updated care records. There were also concerns about


fire safety at an extra care housing scheme, andtherewas a lack of ev- idence to showhowdecisions had beenmade on users’ behalf. At the agency’s last inspection in


December 2018, management was described as “inadequate”. This time it was found that several changes had beenmade. The inspector concludedthat the


service required improvement in all areas, although the caring na- ture of staffwas good. The CQCwill continue tomoni- tor the service.


downsmail.co.uk


Probe into violence atmental hospital


A PRIVATE hospital formentally ill criminals inMaidstone isunder investigation after a “dispropor- tionate” number of patient on pa- tient assaults. “Safe-guarding alerts” at the


Cygnet nearM20 J7,which opened lastOctober,haspromptedamulti- agency probe over concerns about incidents on the male psychiatric intensive careunit (PICU) inApril. A report from the NHS West


Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said a “voluntary cessation of admissions had been requested”during the inquiry. The hospital overlooks the site


proposed for two schools at Popes Fieldwhich has been approved by Maidstone Borough Council. The CCG report states: “The


(Cygnet) service opened on Octo- ber 8. In April, a disproportionate numberof safeguardingalertswere raised for themale PICU ward for patient-on-patient assaults.


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Follow us on Facebook Search Early Learning Steps Otham Maidstone 12 Maidstone July 2019 “The concerns have now esca-


latedto amulti-agency (inquiry)… led by (the) local authority.” It addsCygnetwill be “required


to submit an action plan to address the findings” of the investigation. Aspokesman forCygnet refused


to say how many or detail the na- ture of the assaults as these “are currently being reviewed case by case and we are unable to share this information as it is ongoing”. The spokesman added: “Cygnet


has been part of a safeguarding strategymeeting.We do not know the outcome of thismeeting.” Despite theCCGreport stating a


“voluntary cessation of admis- sions” request, Cygnet said: “Cygnet have at no point ceased


admissions – they have continued to admit service users throughout this period using the same referral and admissions procedures used on a daily basis,which is based on an assessment of theward.” Downs Mail revealed last April


that some of the patients to be treatedat the 65-bedfacilitywould have a “forensic history”which the NHS defines as linked to criminal behaviour or referral from the criminal justice system. Local Boxley parish councillor


Wendy Hinder said: “I am ab- solutely speechless. This bears out what I and many residents have been saying – that these schools should not be going onto this site. “Itwouldonly take one incident.


Maybe people will listen to what we have been saying.” Bearsted borough councillor


Denis Spooner said: “If this is true, it is really ratherworrying. Iwould want to knowmore details.”


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