Care firm chief hits back at critical report by watchdog

The CEO of a mental health care firm has hit back at a critical watchdog report into its Stockport hospital - where three young women died within weeks last year.

- TODD FITZGERALD

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) deemed child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) services at Cheadle Royal Hospital, also known as the Priory Hospital Cheadle Royal to be 'inadequate' following a recent inspection.

"People shouldn't have to live in an environment with these poor conditions and the provider must address these issues as a matter of priority," the watchdog said.

Priory chief Rebekah Cresswell has now issued a lengthy statement, insisting the rating does not 'accurately reflect the quality of... child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS) services at Cheadle'. She criticised a press release issued by the regulator - and said the CAMHS rating gives the 'wrong impression'.

"[We] have disputed the factual accuracy of many aspects of the report," she added. Ms Cresswell claimed services has been 'misrepresented'.

The inspection followed the deaths of three young women - Beth Matthews, 26, Lauren Bridges, 20, and Deseree Fitzpatrick, 30 - within weeks last year. It is not known if the CQC visit was triggered by those incidents. The women's deaths are not thought to be linked.

Cheadle Royal, run by Priory-owned Affinity Healthcare Limited, is a 150-bed hospital with 13 wards which provides care to people with 'diverse nursing needs'.

That includes adults with acute and psychiatric intensive care needs; personality disorders; eating disorders; and adults requiring long-stay rehabilitation. The CQC inspection was carried out on three CAMHS wards - Woodlands, Orchard and Meadows.