:Cygnet Health Care

In 2024, Cygnet [https://www.laingbuissonnews.com/healthcare-markets-content/cygnet-set-for-further-expansion-following-nottinghamshire-opening/ expanded its services] to help meet the increased demand for mental health care.

It opened:

• [https://www.chad.co.uk/health/new-mansfield-mens-mental-health-hospital-opens-in-the-community-4498595 Cygnet Hospital Sherwood], a 44-bed mental health hospital for men
• [https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/new-hospital-for-men-opens-29508917 Cygnet Paddocks], a 28-bed neuro-rehabilitation service for men with brain injuries
• [https://www.expressandstar.com/news/health/2024/10/02/emergency-unit-at-new-wolverhampton-hospital-is-named-in-memory-of-dedicated-worker/ Cygnet Hospital Wolverhampton], a 29-bed mental health hospital for men
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8003n3ex81o Cygnet Hospital Oldbury], a 27-bed mental health hospital for women

[https://www.laingbuissonnews.com/healthcare-markets-content/cygnet-wallace-hospital-expands-to-meet-growing-mental-health-care-demand/ Further expansion] is planned for 2025 which will increase Cygnet bed capacity by 200 and bring more than 1,000 jobs to local areas.

In 2020 it established an independent advisory board. Clare Gerada joined it in March 2021.{{cite news |title=Daily Insight: Don't lose the lessons |url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/daily-insight/daily-insight-dont-lose-the-lessons/7029764.article |access-date=23 March 2021 |publisher=Health Service Journal |date=23 March 2021}} Lord Kamlesh Patel is Cygnet's Senior Independent Board Director.

Cygnet staff, alongside its health and social care services, were shortlisted at 40 external awards in 2024.

Cygnet was a finalist at the [https://workforce.nursingtimes.net/workforce2024/en/page/home Nursing Times Workforce Awards] in the [https://www.cygnetgroup.com/news/cygnet-a-finalist-in-the-diversity-and-inclusion-category-at-nursing-times-awards/ Best Employer for Diversity and Inclusion category], in recognition of its various staff networks, which include a Multicultural Network, [https://wellbeingnews.co.uk/news/cygnet-lgbtq-network-parade-in-manchester/ LGBTQ+ Network] and Women's Network.

Cygnet's social care division [https://healthcare-newsdesk.co.uk/cygnet-social-care-wins-healthinvestor-award/ won Specialist Provider of the Year 2024] at the [https://healthinvestorawards.com/finalists/ HealthInvestor Awards].

Four of its new build hospitals have been shortlisted in the [https://healthcaredesignawards.co.uk/finalists-2025/ 2025 Healthcare Design Awards].

In 2017 the CQC raised concerns about the safety and quality of the firm's hospitals in Sheffield and Woking.{{cite news|date=18 October 2017|title=Second private hospital stops taking new patients after CQC concerns|publisher=Health Service Journal|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/private-sector/exclusive-second-private-hospital-stops-taking-new-patients-after-cqc-concerns/7020820.article|access-date=23 December 2017}} It ordered admissions to be suspended at Knole Ward at the Cygnet Hospital at Godden Green, near Sevenoaks, which operates a tier 4 child and adolescent mental health service because of concerns about the use of seclusion and segregation.{{cite news|date=31 October 2017|title=Third Cygnet hospital criticised by CQC|publisher=Health Service Journal|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/mental-health/third-cygnet-hospital-criticised-by-cqc/7020915.article|access-date=24 December 2017}} The company announced in November 2017 that it would no longer provide children and adolescents' mental health services in its regional psychiatric intensive care unit at Cygnet Hospital Woking.{{cite news|date=2 November 2017|title=Private provider shuts children's unit after regulators intervene|publisher=Health Service Journal|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/mental-health/private-provider-shuts-childrens-unit-after-regulators-intervene/7020951.article|access-date=25 December 2017}} In December 2017, Cygnet Health Care was accused of failing vulnerable young patients{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Patrick|date=December 16, 2017|title=A Chain Of Private Psychiatric Hospitals Has Been Accused Of Failing Vulnerable Young Patients|work=Buzzfeed|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/patricksmith/cygnet-health-care|access-date=6 January 2018}} Three warning notices and fixed penalty notices for failing to make "required notifications" of patient safety incidents were issued by the CQC after an "urgent" inspection in November 2017. The Cygnet Hospital Godden Green was restricted to eight admissions. It was said that staff were "often reliant on police intervention" to manage incidents in the hospital, and were not always competent and skilled.{{cite news|date=2 February 2018|title=Private provider suspected of criminal offence by CQC|publisher=Health Service Journal|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/south-east-coast/private-provider-suspected-of-criminal-offence-by-cqc/7021587.article|access-date=31 March 2018}} It was rated good after an inspection in February 2018.{{cite news|date=9 May 2018|title=Cygnet mental health hospital makes 'significant improvements'|publisher=Health Service Journal|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/mental-health/cygnet-mental-health-hospital-makes-significant-improvements/7022326.article|access-date=13 August 2018}} Plans to open 12 CAMHS eating disorder beds at Godden Green in 2019 were paused after three incidents at the hospital. The CQC issued two warning notices around safe care and treatment, and good governance.{{cite news|date=4 April 2019|title=Specialist beds delayed after child welfare concerns|publisher=Health Service Journal|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/quality-and-performance/specialist-beds-delayed-after-child-welfare-concerns/7024778.article|access-date=13 May 2019}} In July 2019 the CQC imposed two requirement notices – relating to safe medicines management and having a permanent registered manager - in place on the Godden Green hospital but lifted the restriction on the number of admissions.{{cite news|date=17 July 2019|title=Private mental health hospital told to improve safety|publisher=Health Service Journal|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/quality-and-performance/private-mental-health-hospital-told-to-improve-safety/7025548.article|access-date=26 August 2019}} In October 2020 the child and adolescent mental health unit at Godden Green was closed down by the Care Quality Commission.{{cite news|date=28 October 2020|title=Private children's unit shut down after CQC safety concerns|publisher=Health Service Journal|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/patient-safety/private-childrens-unit-shut-down-after-cqc-safety-concerns/7028719.article|access-date=13 December 2020}}

Cygnet Woodrow House, a care home for people with learning disabilities and autism, was rated outstanding by the CQC in March 2020. Inspectors said there was "an excellent understanding of seeing each person as an individual, with their own social and cultural diversity, values and beliefs". Cygnet Sherwood House, a learning disability hospital, and Sherwood Lodge, a specialist rehabilitation mental health hospital, were rated outstanding by the CQC in May 2019, with inspectors noting that staff followed best practice and people using the service were treated with compassion and kindness.

In September 2020, Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, visited Cygnet St Williams, a neuropsychiatric hospital, after it was awarded a Good rating on its first CQC inspection.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-01|title=Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, visits Cygnet St William's|url=https://www.cygnethealth.co.uk/news/peter-gibson-mp-for-darlington-visits-cygnet-st-williams/|access-date=2020-11-17|website=Cygnet Health Care|language=en}}

A patient was found with "unexplained injuries", patients had chances to kill themselves and staff were asleep on duty, men with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs were restrained by staff through "inappropriate techniques" at Cygnet Newbus Grange hospital, in Darlington. That was the sixth time in 2019 that the CQC found a mental health unit that Cygnet runs inadequate. Sean McNulty, who worked at Newbus Grange, was imprisoned for abuse and ill-treatment of residents. Judge Peter Armstrong described McNulty as a, "sadistic bully", McNulty was found in CCTV footage punching, kicking or slapping one patient 15 times. This was one of four inpatient units which were previously operated by the Danshell Group and acquired by the company in 2018. All four were condemned by the CQC.

In July 2020 the company reported staff at Yew Trees hospital in Kirby-le-Soken, which had eight women with learning disabilities, to the Care Quality Commission. They closed the hospital and reported the mistreatment to Essex Police. This included people who they believed witnessed the alleged incidents and failed to report them.{{cite news|date=23 September 2020|title=Staff at private hospital caught on CCTV kicking and slapping vulnerable patients|publisher=Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/hospital-cctv-video-private-essex-cqc-abuse-mental-health-b536261.html|access-date=25 September 2020}} This was also one of four inpatient units which were previously operated by the Danshell Group and acquired by the company in 2018. All four were condemned by the CQC.

In 2023, Cygnet became the [https://healthcare-newsdesk.co.uk/eight-cygnet-hospitals-celebrate-triangle-of-care-accreditation first independent provider] to be accredited by the Carers Trust [https://carers.org/downloads/an-introduction-to-the-triangle-of-care..pdf Triangle of Care] programme, in [https://www.laingbuissonnews.com/healthcare-markets-content/news-healthcare-markets-content/cygnet-health-care-achieves-triangle-of-care-accreditation/ recognition of the work] it does to involve the carers of patients.

That same year, the company launched a [https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/ccqi/quality-networks/picu/carers-working-group/qnpicu-carers-working-group-2023---cygnet-strategy.pdf?sfvrsn=8c67b24_3 Carer, Family and Friend strategy] to ensure loved ones of patients and residents have access to quality care and support.

In 2011 the company was warned by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) about staffing levels at Cygnet Wing Blackheath.{{cite web|title=CQC warns Cygnet Health Care Limited that it is failing to protect the safety and welfare of people|url=http://www.cqc.org.uk/media/cqc-warns-cygnet-health-care-limited-it-failing-protect-safety-and-welfare-people-0|publisher=Care Quality Commission|access-date=4 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505002255/http://www.cqc.org.uk/media/cqc-warns-cygnet-health-care-limited-it-failing-protect-safety-and-welfare-people-0|archive-date=5 May 2014}} Improvements were still required at the CQC inspection in April 2014.{{cite web|title=Cygnet Wing Blackheath|url=http://www.cqc.org.uk/directory/1-130486688|publisher=Care Quality Commission|access-date=4 May 2014}}

In 2013 the CQC issued a warning in respect of Cygnet Hospital Bierley because the service was failing to ensure that appropriate records were kept.{{cite web|title=CQC warns Cygnet Health Care Limited that they must make improvements|url=http://www.cqc.org.uk/node/779979|publisher=Care Quality Commission|access-date=4 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505015341/http://www.cqc.org.uk/node/779979|archive-date=5 May 2014}}

Cygnet was the subject of a BBC investigation that found that staff within an inpatient unit previously operated by the Danshell Group, had been taunting, provoking and scaring vulnerable people.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/22/secret-filming-whorlton-hall-bbc-panorama-abuse-of-disabled-and-autistic-patients|title=Secret filming reveals abuse of disabled and autistic patients. Earlier this month Sean McNulty, a member of staff at Newbus Grange, was jailed for abusing and ill-treating residents. Sentencing him to two years and eight months in prison Judge Peter Armstrong said he was a "sadistic bully". CCTV footage had shown McNulty punching, kicking or slapping one patient 15 times.|date=23 May 2019|access-date=23 May 2019}}

Cygnet Acer Clinic in Chesterfield was placed in special measures in September 2019 and admissions to Cygnet Acer Clinic were suspended. At that point Newbus Grange hospital in Darlington (see below), Cygnet Hospital Ealing, Cygnet Hospital Wyke in Bradford, Cygnet Hospital Coventry and Cygnet Hospital Colchester were also in special measures.{{cite news |title=Sixth Cygnet-run facility placed in 'special measures' by CQC |url=https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/mental-health/sixth-cygnet-run-facility-placed-in-special-measures-by-cqc-13-11-2019/ |access-date=20 November 2019 |publisher=Nursing Times |date=13 November 2019}}

After its eighth site, Cygnet Acer Clinic in Derbyshire, was rated "inadequate" in just over a year the company accused the CQC of publishing an "inaccurate picture". The CQC found three-quarters of nursing staff at the Clinic, which provides treatment for 28 female patients with personality disorders and who self-harm, were unqualified, and suspended admissions.{{cite news |title=Private provider sees eighth site rated 'inadequate' |url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/mental-health/private-provider-sees-eighth-site-rated-inadequate/7026367.article |access-date=8 January 2020 |publisher=Health Service Journal |date=15 November 2019}}

After an assessment of its leadership CQC inspectors said they could not find a "clear line of accountability" across the provider's 140 locations. They said most of the company's services were rated as "good" and some as "outstanding". They found that checks to make sure the directors and board members were 'fit and proper' "had not been carried out" and there was no evidence of references having been taken up during recruitment or that insolvency and bankruptcy searches were done. Cygnet commissioned a corporate governance review by an independent person and took action to make improvements. In response to the CQC review, Cygnet said in a letter published by the BMJ that, following checks verified by lawyers, it was satisfied it was fully compliant and there were no issues around directors' capability, experience, or qualifications.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-15 |title=Cygnet committed to working openly and transparently to deliver safe, effective and quality care |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m148/rr |language=en}}

In April 2021 the company was warned by NHS England that it would not tolerate its repeated service failures in the dozen sites which are directly commissioned by NHSE.{{cite news |title=NHS England warns provider it 'will not tolerate' further service failures |url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/patient-safety/nhs-england-warns-provider-it-will-not-tolerate-further-service-failures/7029991.article |access-date=18 May 2021 |publisher=Health Service Journal |date=30 April 2021}} In August 2021 it was warned to make rapid improvement actions, which "includes halting further growth plans, while they focus on rapidly delivering patient safety improvements".{{cite news |title=Mental Health Matters: Serious intervention or empty threat? |url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/mental-health/mental-health-matters-serious-intervention-or-empty-threat/7030804.article |access-date=16 October 2021 |publisher=Health Service Journal |date=31 August 2021}}

In January 2024, Ben Bradley, former MP for Mansfield, opened the new [https://www.chad.co.uk/health/new-mansfield-mens-mental-health-hospital-opens-in-the-community-4498595 Cygnet Hospital Sherwood]. In his opening speech, [https://www.chad.co.uk/health/new-mansfield-mens-mental-health-hospital-opens-in-the-community-4498595 he remarked]: "Patients deserve the very best support and Cygnet Hospital Sherwood will ensure that happens for East Midlands and Nottinghamshire men who can receive the treatment and care they need close to family and friends."

Nottingham South Labour MP, Lilian Greenwood, visited [https://westbridgfordwire.com/nottingham-south-mp-visits-mental-health-hospital-in-clifton/ Cygnet Hospital Clifton] in March 2024, and said "staff were clearly passionate about the work they do."

Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, visited [https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23400748.andrew-jones-mp-praises-harrogate-mental-health-hospital-staff/ Cygnet Hospital Harrogate] in March 2023. He said "staff are hard working and passionate people who care deeply for their patients."

In April 2023, Claire Coutinho, Conservative MP for East Surrey, visited [https://thecareruk.com/east-surrey-mp-visits-caterham-nursing-home/ Tupwood Gate Nursing Home] in Surrey, and said "I was particularly heartened to hear about the work they have done with local children with special educational needs and disabilities, welcoming them into the home to reduce loneliness among their residents."

• Mental health in the United Kingdom

• [http://www.cygnethealth.co.uk/ Cygnet Health]
• [http://www.cqc.org.uk/directory/1-102643425 Care Quality Commission]
• Carers Trust

{{reflist}}

Category:Mental health organisations in the United Kingdom

Category:Private providers of NHS services

Category:Companies based in Kent