CQC rates St Andrew’s Healthcare Essex ‘Good’, praising compassionate care and positive patient experiences
St Andrew’s Healthcare’s Essex hospital, which specialises in complex mental healthcare, has been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The rating follows an inspection in April 2026 and confirms that services across the hospital, including acute wards, psychiatric intensive care and low secure forensic services, are performing consistently well across all key areas.
The hospital was rated ‘Good’ following an inspection of its rehabilitation service earlier this year. The latest report also confirms an improvement in our safe rating, meaning all services are now rated ‘Good’ across every domain.
Inspectors highlighted the kindness, compassion and professionalism of staff, as well as the high quality of care provided to patients.
The report also recognises improvements in both safety and responsiveness, including progress within forensic services, demonstrating the organisation’s continued focus on delivering good quality and person-centred care.
Inspectors found that patients felt safe on the wards and were treated with “kindness and respect”. Many spoke positively about the difference staff had made to their recovery, with one patient saying the care they received had “saved my life”.
Family members also praised the service, describing staff as “friendly, kind and highly skilled”, and highlighting clear communication and their involvement in care decisions.
The CQC found that care was well organised, personalised and delivered in line with national guidance and best practice. Patients had access to a full range of specialists including doctors, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers, alongside therapeutic activities, education and life skills support.
Inspectors highlighted a strong safety culture, with robust risk management, effective safeguarding processes and a clear commitment to reducing restrictive practices.
The hospital was also recognised for providing a supportive and recovery focused environment, with access to facilities including a gym, sports hall, outdoor space and education centre.
Antony Miller, Service Director for St Andrew’s Healthcare Essex, said:
“We are delighted with the CQC’s ‘Good’ rating, which reflects the dedication and professionalism of our entire team.
“Most importantly, it recognises the experiences of our patients and their families, who tell us they feel safe, supported and treated with compassion every day. We are incredibly proud of the positive culture our teams have created and the difference they make to people’s lives.”
Amanda Hazelwood, Regional Managing Director, added: “This report is a real credit to our colleagues, who work tirelessly to deliver high -quality, person centred care for people with complex mental health needs.
“We are particularly pleased to see such strong feedback from patients, who are at the heart of everything we do. While we are proud of this achievement, we remain focused on continuing to improve and ensuring every patient has the best possible experience and outcomes.”
The CQC also highlighted the hospital’s strong leadership, inclusive culture and commitment to continuous improvement, alongside effective partnership working with NHS organisations, local authorities and community services to support patients throughout their recovery journey.
The full CQC report is available here.
