• Priory’s Hazelwood House hospital acquires excellence award
• The CQC ‘outstanding’ hospital scooped the ‘Quality Network for Inpatient Learning Disability’ accreditation award
• Safeguarding lead Leah Spurr says: ‘This is thanks to our amazing and dedicated team, who are recognised for their hard work and care’

The Priory’s Hazelwood House hospital for patients with learning disabilities has been recognised by the Royal College of Psychiatrists for delivering a compassionate and caring environment for some of the most vulnerable patients.

The ‘Quality Network for Inpatient Learning Disability’ accreditation is given in recognition of best practice, and follows a rigorous review procedure aimed at promoting the highest level of care.

Hazelwood House, which cares for up to 14 adults with complex learning disabilities and mental health needs, is already rated ‘outstanding’ by the independent regulator, the Care Quality Commission. The hospital is based in Chesterfield, and takes care of patients from across the local area.

The entire team worked towards this QNLD accreditation. This is a standards-based network that facilitates the sharing of good practice, and engaging staff and patients. A peer review then takes place where high quality care is demonstrated to achieve the accreditation.

Patient engagement is a key part of the process which includes looking at the experience of the patients and their carers, and how the team meets their needs. The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ accreditation committee recommends QNLD status based on evidence gathered during a review by experts. Accreditation lasts for three years, and demonstrates the quality of a hospital.

Hazelwood House is a low-secure unit for men with a learning disability, including those with personality disorders, mental illnesses and autistic spectrum conditions. It is managed by the Priory, the leading independent provider of mental health and social care in the UK.

The hospital aims to reduce patient risk and promote strategies which prevent relapse. It helps patients develop skills for supported or independent living.

Joanne McQueen, Director of Clinical Services at the hospital, said: “We’re so proud of this accreditation which is testament to our staff, and their professionalism, and to our patients and their families. We are a well-established service with a really pro-active and dedicated team who work with patients to maximise their opportunities to live their lives as independently as possible in the community, through a robust treatment programme that aims to build and consolidate important skills. We are extremely proud that we are rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC and this accreditation is the icing on the cake.

“Our model of care explicitly acknowledges and supports change (or readiness for change) which is essential for successful engagement and treatment. When patients engage with us on this, the sky is the limit. It means we can meaningfully focus on reducing the risk of relapse and this can help to reduce length of stay in secure care.”

Priory Chief Executive Officer Rebekah Cresswell praised the team: “This is well-earned by a team which is totally committed to helping people to live their life, a core tenet of Priory.  I am delighted to share in the success of the staff at Hazelwood House, who are passionate about what they do, and go the extra mile every day.”

ENDS  

Note to editors:

Contact: communications@priorygroup.com

About Priory and MEDIAN   

Priory is the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health services. We treat more than 70 conditions including depression, anxiety, addictions, and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across our nationwide network of sites. We also support adults with complex autism, learning disabilities, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, as a leading provider of specialist residential care and supported living – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.

Priory is part of MEDIAN, one of Europe’s leading providers of high-quality mental health and medical rehabilitative services. Overall, there are 430 facilities in the MEDIAN Group, comprising 307 Priory facilities with 5,364 beds in the United Kingdom caring for 35,000 people, and 123 facilities and 20,000 beds and therapy places in Germany, caring for around 260,0000 patients, with approximately 35,000 employees overall.     

MEDIAN manages patients who have experienced symptoms of COVID-19, and/or Long COVID, and shares information for medical professionals at: www.long-covid.de