A hospital in Stevenage has been rated good in all areas by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following an inspection after concerns were raised about the safety and quality of the forensic wards.

Cygnet Hospital, which opened on Graveley Road in 2006, offers a range of secure and Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit and acute mental health services for men and women.

The CQC said: "We carried out this [latest] assessment as we had received information giving us concerns about the safety and quality of the forensic wards."

After the CQC's last inspection in 2021, Cygnet Hospital received an overall rating of good, but 'safe' was rated as requires improvement as some of the areas of the hospital were visibly unclean, and the hospital had vacancies for support staff.

"We found improvements in both of these areas at this inspection," the watchdog said.

"The service provided safe care. The ward environments were safe and clean. The wards had enough staff and ward teams had access to the full range of specialists to meet the needs of patients."

Meanwhile, the healthcare watchdog said feedback from patients and carers about the service was "overwhelmingly positive".

The CQC said: "Patients told us they felt safe and that staff were caring and treated them with kindness and respect."

Inspectors also noted that managers ensured staff received training, supervision and appraisal, celebrated staff successes and had developed strategies to boost staff wellbeing.

The report highlighted the "excellent therapeutic facilities" available, including a well-provisioned music room, large sports hall and two gyms.

Describing the effective and caring nature at the service, inspectors noted: "There was an overarching focus on delivering transformative and recovery focused care.

"Patients told us that that they were receiving good care, treatment options were explained to them and they were offered treatment choice and they were involved in care decisions.

"Staff always treated people with kindness, empathy and compassion and respected their privacy and dignity.

"People were viewed as unique with skills, strengths and personal goals."

Hospital manager Alice Zimba said: "We are incredibly proud of the result of our inspection.

"Inspectors recognised our safe and effective care, but also the compassion and dedication of our staff which enable a person-centred culture to thrive at the hospital.

"All of our service users receive personalised care, which helps them to learn how to manage their mental health and reinforce their daily living skills, helping to prepare for independent life.

"We work exceptionally hard every day to give our service users the quality of care they deserve, and I am so proud of this wonderful achievement, and look forward to the future with optimism for how Cygnet Hospital Stevenage can develop even further."