The national healthcare watchdog has described The Winterbourne Hospital, in Dorchester, as having safe and effective services.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected the hospital earlier this year and published its findings in a report which noted that feedback from patients, ‘showed they were treated with kindness and empathy from all staff.’
The inspection took place after a previous inspection in 2022 left it requiring improvements and it had been in breach of some regulations – which it has now rectified.
Adam Busby with Jesse Watkinson at The Winterbourne Hospital (Image: The Winterbourne Hospital)
The inspector said: “The service had made improvements and was no longer in breach of regulations. Clinicians now recorded patient notes contemporaneously. Staff were now trained to the nationally recommended levels for safeguarding adults and children.
“Governance arrangements now ensured issues were escalated and rectified in a timely manner. Recruitment processes now ensured all appropriate checks on staff were completed prior to employment.”
The 31-bed hospital was noted for how well staff worked together and had great pride in the delivery of care to patients. The independent regulator for CQC also praised the way staff involved patients and families throughout their treatment. The inspectors further noted that this had directly helped patients make better and more informed decisions about their care.
The report also highlighted a strong culture of openness and a commitment to solving issues in a collaborative and proactive way. Following the introduction of the Circle Health Group (the group which runs the hospital) philosophy in July 2021, staff at the hospital were pleased to see their efforts to embrace this new culture of working had been recognised at the highest level.
Jesse Watkinson, Executive Director of The Winterbourne Hospital said: “I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that has gone into achieving our new ‘Good’ rating.
“The report reflects the agility, passion and drive we have to deliver an exceptional standard of care to our patients. This success reflects the contributions of every single person in the hospital and the ambition to make The Winterbourne Hospital the employer of choice in the local area and the first choice for our patients.”
Jesse Watkinson with senior management team at the Winterbourne Hospital (Image: The Winterbourne Hospital)
The CQC regulates private hospitals to same level as NHS hospitals, looking at how well providers perform in five ‘domains’ from patient safety to overall hospital management. The Winterbourne Hospital is now independently recognised as ‘Good’ overall.
The inspectors who visited The Winterbourne Hospital noted that the way the team at the hospital had engaged with them had been important in securing the rating of the hospital. Circle Health Group have been identified as being particularly strong in driving up standards across their network of 54 hospitals nationwide.