- Independent mental health service
Cygnet Hospital Hexham
Report from 16 July 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings - Acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units
Our view of the service
Cygnet Hexham Hospital is a mental health service for women located in Northumberland. Admissions were accepted for women aged 18 and over, whether informal or detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA), who were experiencing an acute episode of mental illness that could not be safely managed in the community. The hospital has 2 wards:
Fisher Ward – a 17-bed acute mental health ward. This ward supports women who are experiencing an acute episode of mental illness and require emergency admission.
Franklin Ward – a 10-bed psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU). This ward provides care for women who need emergency or crisis admission.
The inspection was prompted in part by information we held about the service which indicated potential risks relating to patient safety, medicines management and governance. We also received an anonymous whistleblowing concern that raised concerns about the management and culture at the service. A decision was made to inspect to examine those risks.
We carried out a comprehensive inspection of the service on 9, 10 and 11 September 2025. Following concerns identified with medicines management during this inspection, we returned on 8 October 2025 to review.
The inspection team included 4 inspectors, one of whom was a medicines inspector. We were supported by a nurse acting as a specialist adviser to CQC and by an expert by experience who made phone calls to patients and carers.
We rated the service as overall good with requires improvement in the safe key question. This was because we found a breach of legal requirements relating to governance and management of medicines.
People's experience of this service
During the inspection we interviewed 7 patients and 3 carers. Feedback was generally positive, with most patients and carers describing the environment as clean, welcoming, and safe.
Staff were frequently praised for their kindness, compassion, and professionalism, and patients said they felt supported, listened to, and involved in decisions about their care. Activities and therapies were varied and well-received, and food was rated highly for both quality and choice.
Patients and carers told us that staff took their concerns seriously and that the service was committed to learning and making improvements. Some people highlighted areas that required attention, including 1 patient who said the responsiveness of some agency staff could be improved, as well as communication about leave and care plans and access to some facilities. Overall, people said they felt supported.
Staff promoted dignity and respected individual preferences, and the overall atmosphere was caring and focused on well-being. For example, 1 carer told us that staff showed a keen interest in their relative’s recovery, were friendly and supportive, and kept them routinely updated.