Inspectors commend compassion, leadership and personalised care at women’s rehabilitation unit following unannounced visit
A MENTAL health hospital has been praised for outstanding care and strong teamwork following a highly positive inspection by Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW).
Cygnet St Teilo House, based on Goshen Street in Rhymney, received an excellent report after an unannounced inspection in August found no areas of non-compliance. Inspectors highlighted consistently high standards of care, effective leadership and a culture firmly focused on dignity, respect and recovery.
The 23-bed hospital provides high dependency inpatient rehabilitation services for women. HIW inspectors praised staff for delivering “personalised, safe and effective care”, noting that both patients and staff spoke positively about the service.
Hospital Manager Byron Mtandabari said the outcome reflected the dedication of the whole team. He said: “I am incredibly proud of our staff. This report truly reflects the compassion, commitment and teamwork shown every day.
“Seeing patients feel safe, valued and supported is at the heart of everything we do, and it is wonderful to see that recognised so clearly by HIW. This achievement belongs to every member of staff who goes above and beyond for the women in our care.”
The inspection report highlighted a strong focus on person-centred care, with privacy, dignity and respect consistently upheld. Inspectors observed kind and compassionate interactions, with staff demonstrating a detailed understanding of individual patients’ needs and using this knowledge to provide tailored support and manage challenging behaviour effectively.
In the report, HIW stated: “Staff interactions were consistently kind and respectful, and patients felt valued and supported. The physical environment was designed to uphold privacy, autonomy and comfort.”
Patients who completed questionnaires rated their care as “good” or “very good”, with many saying they felt involved in decisions about their treatment. One patient described the hospital as “the best place I have been,” while another said: “I feel happy and safe and I believe the setting is doing all they can to support me.”
Inspectors also praised the hospital’s facilities and commitment to wellbeing, including access to a gym, relaxation rooms, hairdressing services and outdoor spaces. A wide programme of activities supports recovery and independence, including vocational opportunities, music therapy, animal therapy and occupational therapy.
HIW noted that the environment was clean, well maintained and conducive to wellbeing, with patients encouraged to take part in social and therapeutic activities.
Care planning was described as personalised and collaborative, with patients actively involved in discussions. Positive Behaviour Support plans were embedded into daily care, and families were kept informed through regular communication.
The hospital’s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion was also commended, including respectful care for transgender patients and accessible information available in Welsh and other languages.
Strong governance and leadership were identified as key strengths, alongside high levels of staff satisfaction. One staff member told inspectors: “Staff genuinely care about the patients in our care. Care is at the centre of everything we do.”
HIW concluded that Cygnet St Teilo House provides a safe, effective and person-centred care environment, underpinned by strong teamwork and a culture of continuous improvement.
