A REHABILITATION hospital for people with enduring mental illnesses is celebrating an outstanding rating by the care watchdog.

Oak Lodge in Foundry Street, Little cares for up to 12 adults at a time and its staff were thrilled to find out they had been rated outstanding for the second time in a row.

The rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is a first for owners AFG, which runs seven other care homes all rated good.

Oak Lodge manager Alvine Andrews said: “It’s turning out to be an amazing year for Oak Lodge staff and our service users.

This outstanding accreditation is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication by staff, past and present.

"We, staff and service users, are delighted to have been recognised in this way.”

The report by the CQC praised the "person-centred approach" the hospital had towards recovery.

Inspectors said: "Patients told us that staff were always approachable and would take time to speak with them. Patients explained that they were treated with respect by staff."

Three carers the CQC inspectors spoke to were "complimentary about the level of care" said the report published earlier this month.

Acting AFG CEO Ian Pritchard said: “It’s incredibly difficult to achieve an outstanding from the CQC for very good reasons ­— so this is really well deserved.

"Oak Lodge has been doing amazing things for some time. One of AFG’s key values is raising the bar. Oak Lodge has now truly set that bar very high.”

CQC inspections assess five areas of care to deliver their rating, Oak Lodge was outstanding in two of those, its effectiveness and its care. It was rated good in the three other areas, leadership, responsiveness and safety.

Evidence of "positive risk taking" was praised by inspectors who approved of allowing patients "to take on good citizenship roles within the community."

Inspectors said: "Patients took on different community roles reflecting their own personal interests, they were active in diverse roles within local charities and youth organisations."

The report noted the "vision" AFG had implemented in the hospital and said it was being followed through.

The report said: "They had fully embraced the vision “we are one” by having daily staff and patient meetings which discussed all ward issues including staff duties and hosting joint training and feedback away days.

"Patients played a major role in presenting information about the service to the inspection team. The inspectors noted the high staff morale, praising the way staff were able to raise issues and ideas with their managers."

The CQC noted three areas the hospital could improve on including implementing training for staff and becoming accredited with the Royal College of Psychiatry quality network to help develop its clinical outcomes.

AFG was established in 1992 and is based mostly in the north west, employing 2,500 staff and caring for and support around 1,200 people.

It provides mental health services to the NHS through its independent hospital network and support living services.