Concerns over the quality of care for patients in Barrow needing mental health services have been raised by a national watchdog.

Today’s report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) into the mental health services provided by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust at Furness General Hospital has concluded that ‘little progress’ has been made since its last inspection in January 2018.

The Dova Unit, a 20-bed acute psychiatric ward at the Barrow hospital was described in today’s report as ‘not maintained to a reasonable standard’.

“Dova ward had some areas where there was an ongoing issue with water leaks from the ceiling, this was in several areas including a patient bedroom,” the report said.

But trust chief executive Professor Stephen Eames said the concerns over the Dova unit in the report, which drew on inspections made between May and June, had been addressed.

“There aren’t any immediate concerns in terms of our facilities,” he said.

“It was a small water leak in one bedroom. The Dova Unit is actually brand new, so it doesn’t really fall into this category.”

The report also raised concerns over staffing in the Ramsey unit at Furness hospital, which cares for adults with a range of mental health issues.

“There were vacant nursing posts on Ramsey ward which could not be filled,” the report said.

“This meant that the ward relied on bank and agency.

“Feedback from carers was mixed about the care and treatment on the ward.”

However Professor Eames stressed that major changes to how mental health services are run in Cumbria will bring improvements.

From next Tuesday, mental health services in Cumbria will be run by two specialist mental health trusts: Northumberland Tyne and Wear Trust will run services in north Cumbria and Lancashire Care Trust will run services in the south of the county.

Professor Eames said: “Cumbria Partnership’s mental health services have been one of the smallest groupings of mental health services in England, and therefore don’t have the critical mass to provide a modern mental health service.

“That’s why those transfers are being made, and that’s why there’s been the challenges that are reflected in this report.

Professor Eames said that despite downgrades in certain areas, other areas inspected by the CQC were given the same rating as last time, or were upgraded.

“There’s been some deterioration from last time. But that’s to do with the much bigger picture around recruitment, and challenges we’ve got across mental health services, which is why we’re putting those services in future in the hands of other providers who are better equipped to manage mental health than we are.”

Professor Eames stressed the report’s praise for trust staff, who were singled out in the CQC report for their caring attitude towards patients. He echoed this praise.

“The staff have gone way beyond the call of duty, all of which has been recognised [by the CQC] in terms of the kindness and passion that they show,” he said.