'Inadequate' Portsmouth rehab centre comes out of special measures following CQC inspection

The health care watchdog has rated the Addiction Recovery Centre in Cosham, Portsmouth as Good, having previously labelling it as Inadequate.

Previously, two warning notices had been served to the centre as the CQC noted a lack of staff training and even derogatory language in the records of clients.

Now, the centre has been praised for treating visitors with compassion and kindness, with staff recognising best practice and taking on additional training to make up for past faults.

Karen Bennet-Wilson, the CQC’s head of hospital inspection for mental health in the south, said: ‘Since we last inspected, staff at the Addiction Recovery Centre have worked to ensure that improvements have been thoroughly embedded.

‘I am pleased that the service has taken to heart the findings from our previous inspection reports and built on them to provide improved services.

‘We found at the Addiction Recovery Centre a strong person-centred culture with staff committed to keeping their people safe, and encouraging them to be independent.

‘Peoples’ needs came first and all staff worked hard to deliver the best possible care with compassion and respect.’

The report from the CQC also highlighted that the individual needs of each client was now better understood by the centre, and that those using the service had access to a range of specialists and aftercare.

Founder and director Graham Foster says a number of changes have been made since the previous inspection.

He said: ‘We're delighted how our team pulled together to demonstrate to the CQC and the public the true value and quality of what is on offer at ARC.

‘We've always believed our unique model of treatment is second to none and of course we were upset and frustrated that we couldn't evidence this to CQC in September 2018.

‘As well as an exercise of documentation, we also used the last six months to make important tweaks to the way things are done here and we're now better than ever at consistently helping people move beyond drugs and alcohol addiction to a fantastic new life.’