A REPORT has found that children receiving treatment for mental health conditions at Dorset County Hospital ‘did not always have their wishes considered’.

The finding is one of a number reported by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following a recent inspection of DCH’s services for children and young people - with the hospital saying it has taken action to address concerns.

CQC inspectors visited DCH in August last year and published their findings today, February 17, in which they identified four key areas for improvement.

They said Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust must improve: processes to investigate and follow up on any allegations; evidence or concerns raised about safeguarding; assess the impact of the building work in the emergency department to ensure mitigating actions are identified; ensure care and treatment is provided with the consent of relevant persons, and; ensure all risks, including environmental risks, are assessed and mitigated.

An extract from the report reads: “There was a lack of clarity regarding who was responsible for overseeing the treatment of children and young people who needed treatment of mental health conditions.

“The records reviewed by inspectors suggested that children and young people at Dorset County Hospital did not always have their voices heard or their wishes considered. Their voice was absent in more than half the records reviewed and was limited in the remainder.”

DCHFT said it had addressed these issues in the months since the inspection with actions including refresher training for all staff around the required documentation for consent, capacity and competency, changing systems to improve the recording of action taken in response to safeguarding concerns, and keeping a register of risk assessments centrally. 

Dorset County Hospital’s interim chief executive Nick Johnson said: “We welcome the feedback from the inspectors and have already addressed the areas highlighted for immediate action.

“Since the COVID pandemic we have been caring for young people with increasingly complex mental health needs. This is recognised as a national issue and is a priority for the NHS as a whole.

“We recognise the importance of an open and collaborative approach with all our partner agencies to provide the best care for children and young people who need mental health support.

“Our priority will always be what is in the best interests of the young person and we will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure we can provide access to the most appropriate care and support when they attend Dorset County Hospital.”