- SERVICE PROVIDER
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust
This is an organisation that runs the health and social care services we inspect
Report from 21 March 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings - Acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units
Our view of the service
Date of on-site assessment 08 and 09 August 2024. Dates of desktop assessment between 28 February to 08 August 2024.
We carried out a responsive assessment of Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust in response to concerns shared with Care Quality Commission (CQC) regarding patient care and treatment in Waterston Ward. We also reviewed evidence submitted from staff at the trust.
Waterston Ward is an acute assessment unit (AAU), which is part of the wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units. At the last inspection in April 2019, we rated the trust as outstanding overall and this service as good.
We also reviewed evidence submitted from staff at the trust. We reviewed 2 key questions safe and well-led.
Patients said they were safe and well cared for on the ward and it helped their recovery.
There were enough well trained and skilled staff to provide a range of therapeutic treatments to meet individual needs.
The ward was welcoming and had few incidents of violence and aggression as staff used effective descalation techniques.
Staff said they worked well together as a team and felt valued by managers.
People's experience of this service
Patients feedback about Waterston Ward was positive. Patients spoke of warm interactions with staff members. They said they received good care and treatment which helped their recovery.