A CLEAN bill of health has been given to staff at Calderstones Hospital, who are still facing an uncertain future ahead as the specialist forensic and learning disability NHS trust is wound up.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors have rated Calderstones as ‘good’ just 14 months after a bombshell report blasted the trust for a series of failings, from the excessive use of physical force to restrain vulnerable patients, to ‘dirty’ and ‘unsafe’ wards, poor storage of food and medicines and inadequate staffing levels.

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But a CQC inspection team has now singled out the Whalley-based establishment for praise in a number of areas.

Trust chiefs were lauded for improved communication techniques with learning disability patients, work to improve outcomes for offenders, in the same field, and adaptations to seclusion rooms, with all accommodation now displaying the individual needs of those placed inside.

And the CQC monitors found there were ‘significant improvements’ with reduced restraint cases, seclusions and rapid tranquillisation. Calderstones will cease to exist this July when it is taken over by Mersey Care, a Merseyside-based trust.

Staff have questioned how many posts will be affected by the transfer.

Dr Paul Lelliott, deputy chief inspector of Hospitals, acknowledged that the turnaround had been made against a backdrop of uncertainty for staff but praised the ‘leadership’ skills of trust executives.

He said: “The trust has implemented a new model of working called ‘safe wards’ which focusses on reducing restrictive practices and improving patient outcomes.

“The new model has significantly changed the culture within the trust and enabled staff to work collaboratively with patients and reduce the need to use physical interventions to manage behaviour that staff find challenging.”

Trust chief executive Mark Hindle said Calderstones said: “Our close working with the CQC has benefited service users, staff and all stakeholders as we have seen massive development and a real focus on quality, safety and compassionate care.

“The ‘good’ score, in every category, is a powerful demonstration that we are ready for the next stage in delivering care for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“Our staff have worked very hard to achieve this rating and credit must go to their dedication and professionalism in achieving this improvement.”

Trust bosses have been told that they still need to work on areas including staff training, their supervision regime and Mental Capacity Act knowledge.