Priory de-registers Widnes hospital

The Priory Group has taken the decision to de-register its psychiatric hospital in Widnes following continuing issues with standards and quality. The Widnes hospital, which has offered mental health services to patients suffering from a range of conditions, was initially prevented from admitting patients from the North West because its previous owners, Hanover Healthcare, were involved in protracted issues surrounding the framework agreement with the North West Specialised Commissioning Group (see HMN May 2011). Priory bought the hospital with the intention of saving it from closure and the objective of turning around performance and raising standards, but has said it has been unable to overcome the historic difficulties within its target timescale, despite concerted efforts. Matthew Franzidis, chief operating officer said: Priory Group acquired this hospital in 2011 and has undertaken a holistic review of services and standards. The previous owners of the hospital were not able to gain the confidence of NHS commissioners and standards were not sufficiently high at the time of purchase. Priory Group places quality provision at the heart of its service and always regarded the Widnes hospital as a turnaround’ project. The company has deployed considerable resources in terms of expertise and investment but has been unable to resolve the issues to its satisfaction.’ The seven remaining patients at the 74-bed hospital will be found new placements and a consultation process has begun with staff. Priory said it would seek to redeploy staff wherever possible and was committed to a safe transfer of service users to new locations. Mr Franzidis added:Sometimes, when the culture and standards at a facility cannot be changed quickly, it is right that it is de-registered. The company has consulted with the regulators and other authorities on this decision.’ In July inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that safeguarding incidents