- SERVICE PROVIDER
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
This is an organisation that runs the health and social care services we inspect
On 28 September 2018, we published an easy-to-read version of our report on community learning disability services at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Report from 23 September 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings - Forensic inpatient or secure wards
Our view of the service
Date of Assessment: 19 to 21 August 2025. This was a scheduled assessment.
The Kedleston Low Secure Unit provides a low secure service for male patients. Its purpose is to deliver intensive, comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatments and care by qualified staff and healthcare assistants. The service provides care for men aged 18 years and above who have a mental disorder and are detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. They require treatment in a specialist low secure service and usually have complex and challenging forensic and mental health needs. There are 2 wards at the Kedleston Unit: Curzon is the admission and assessment ward, and Scarsdale is the rehabilitation ward. Curzon Ward has 8 beds, and Scarsdale Ward has 12 beds. Bedrooms on Scarsdale Ward have ensuite shower, toilet and wash hand basin. Bedrooms are not ensuite on Curzon Ward and patients have access to multiple shared bathroom facilities.
Forensic inpatient or secure wards were last rated as Good (published September 2018). This was an unannounced assessment, which means the provider was not told an assessment was going to be taking place beforehand. During this assessment, we looked at all quality statements across all 5 key questions. As we assessed all quality statements at this visit, the current rating reflects the findings from this assessment. We rated this service as Good.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with 8 patients and 4 relatives. Patients were positive about the quality of care and treatment they received. They felt safe, supported, and well cared for by staff, who were consistently described as kind, caring, and approachable. Staff were attentive to patients’ needs and engaged with them in a respectful, compassionate and dignified way, helping them to feel listened to and valued throughout their care and treatment journey.
Patients and relatives told us staff were visible, available, and responsive to their needs offering support, actively listening, and responding promptly and appropriately. Relatives and carers told us staff communicated well with them and kept them regularly updated about their loved ones’ care, and any progress made. They also felt that staff treated physical health needs with the same attention and importance as mental health.
Patients, and where appropriate, their families, were involved in developing care, treatment, and risk management plans. A collaborative approach ensured that care was person-centred, and treatment was tailored to meet individual need, preference, and circumstance.
The service offered regular therapeutic activities which were well attended by patients, helping promote engagement, recovery and inclusion. Patients told us the activities supported their recovery, provided daily structure, and offered meaningful engagement which contributed positively to both their physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Patients were given supported to raise complaints or concerns, and to share feedback, they felt listened to and empowered. Patients told us the food was of good quality, with a variety of options available to suit individual preference, religious or cultural needs, and any dietary requirements.