- Priory Hospital Solihull rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, placing it among the top performing mental health hospitals in England
- Inspectors highlight visible, compassionate leadership and a positive culture driving outstanding, person-centred care
- Patients praise kind and respectful staff, with one describing it as the “best hospital I have been in”
Priory Hospital Solihull has been rated ‘Outstanding’ overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following inspections in January and February.
The hospital, located in a rural setting in Warwickshire, supports up to 31 adult males with complex mental health needs in partnership with the NHS, providing both high dependency and community rehabilitation and recovery services.
It has been recognised for delivering personalised, holistic and recovery-focused care that has an “incredible impact” on people’s wellbeing and outcomes, with the rating placing it among the top 3% of mental health hospitals in the country.
Inspectors found the service places people at the heart of their care, with patients, families and healthcare professionals all providing consistently positive feedback about staff kindness, respect and involvement.
Patients described feeling “heard and safe”, saying they felt comfortable raising concerns and were fully involved in decisions about their care and treatment. They also spoke proudly about their involvement in improving the environment and wider service.
Inspectors also found Lived Experience Partners played a meaningful and influential role, attending clinical governance meetings, taking part in recruitment interviews and contributing to service-wide initiatives such as garden development and patient safety work.
One patient told inspectors it was the “best hospital I have been in”, while others spoke about the opportunities available to them, including education, volunteering and employment; another even completed a university degree during their stay, supported by staff throughout.
The report also highlighted how patients are supported to build confidence and develop everyday skills through a wide range of meaningful activities, including cooking, budgeting, community outings and wellbeing initiatives.
Many are encouraged to take an active role, whether leading activities themselves, such as co-delivering therapeutic groups, or contributing to projects such as an on-site coffee shop, helping to promote independence and a sense of purpose.
A key factor behind the regulator's decision to upgrade the service from its previous 'Good' rating was leadership, with inspectors praising “visible and compassionate” leaders who promote an open and inclusive culture where staff feel valued and confident to speak up.
This strong, “values-driven” culture was identified as central to the service’s success, supporting continuous improvement and consistently high standards of care.
Inspectors reported that “leadership was exceptional and distinctive”, that leaders had created a clear and consistent vision and that staff at all levels demonstrated a strong understanding of this, with a collective commitment to making a real and lasting difference to the lives of the people they support.
Aimee McCooey, Hospital Director at Priory Hospital Solihull, said: “I am incredibly proud of our team for achieving an overall ‘Outstanding’ rating and for the way they approached the inspection, which truly reflected our day to day work. There was a real sense of pride across the service, with colleagues fully engaged and committed to showcasing the care we provide.
“What stands out most is our culture. We are a values-driven service and that positive culture runs through everything we do, supporting people to live their best lives and achieve meaningful progress in their recovery. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and compassion of our team.”
I am incredibly proud of Aimee and the team at Solihull for achieving an ‘Outstanding’ rating, placing them among the top mental health hospitals in England. This report highlights the power of strong, compassionate leadership and a positive culture in delivering truly person-centred care.
It’s a shining example of what great leadership and purpose-led teams, who truly live our values, can achieve. I would like to thank Aimee and the team at Solihull for their dedication and congratulate them on this wonderful achievement.”
Stuart Dunn, CQC Deputy Director of Mental Health in the central region, said: “At Priory Hospital Solihull, we found a service putting people at the heart of their care and support.
“People could play an active role in their care and access many opportunities, which was having an incredible impact on their wellbeing and care and treatment outcomes.
“Staff and leaders should be delighted with the many positive findings in our report. We look forward to seeing their continued progress.”
Priory is the largest independent provider of mental health, addiction and working-age adult social care services in the UK. Priory cares for 24,000 people a year across 270 sites, with 89% of services currently rated ‘Good’ or better by independent regulators.
The report will be published on CQC’s website in the coming days.