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A neuropsychiatry rehabilitation hospital in West Bromwich supporting men with acquired brain injuries and neurological conditions has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Headway, the Brain Injury Association following their latest interim review.

Cygnet Heathers, in Grout Street, was inspected by Headway, which has developed an accreditation scheme open to care settings which includes NHS and independent hospitals, neuro-rehabilitation units and its standards reflect the specific needs of people with acquired brain injury.

The process includes a robust on-site assessment that also involves unannounced interim reviews to ensure that the approved provider can demonstrate the provision of appropriate care and treatment for those with complex cognitive or physical impairment due to acquired brain injuries.

Cygnet Heathers is a 20-bed service that offers neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative rehabilitation for men with acquired brain injuries offering support for those whose behaviours that challenge often prevent them from accessing vital therapy and treatment to improve their quality of life.

The service was inspected across six domains including Culture, Systems & Processes, Workforce Development, Service Delivery, Governance Leadership and Management & Quality, and Environment.

Following the review of its approved provider accreditation, Cygnet Heathers has been rated ‘Outstanding’ in five domains and ‘Good’ in Service Delivery providing Heathers with an overall ‘Outstanding’ rating.

Hospital Manager, Stephen Smith said he was delighted by the enhanced rating.

“We’ve had really challenging times over the past year and my team has done such an amazing job. They should all be extremely proud of the hard work they put in. It’s not easy being a healthcare worker, especially in times of Covid-19. I’m enormously proud of them and they all deserve real credit for what they’ve achieved.”

“We do put the service users at the heart of everything. Everything we do is based on them, and their individual needs. We are honest, open and transparent with the people who come to our service.”

New initiatives at the hospital include an online and competency based training course specifically covering neuropsychiatric rehabilitation, care and treatment which all staff, from the hospital manager to support workers have to complete.

Stephen added: “What we focus on is getting the people who work with our patients to have as much knowledge and skills as possible. The course made a real difference because it has given our staff the ability to communicate with people with a brain injury more effectively.”

Cygnet Health Care runs 8 neuropsychiatric services in the UK and Cygnet Heathers was the first service to be assessed through the Headway accreditation scheme and its transitional step down service Meadows Mews was rated ‘Good’ this year making the whole rehabilitation pathway Headway Accredited. Cygnet’s other neuropsychiatric services are due to be evaluated over the coming months.

Cygnet Heathers is also rated Good by the regulator, the Care Quality Commission.