A HEALTH service requires improvement after one of its clinics was found to be 'not fit for purpose' in an inspection in December.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) told Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) to improve its acute wards.

Fellside, Lamesley and Lowry wards in the Hadrian Clinic at the Campus for Ageing and Vitality in Newcastle-upon-Tyne were investigated to assess the service's safety and quality.

The Hadrian Clinic is for adults with a mental illness requiring hospital assessment and treatment.

The clinic remains rated good overall and the wider CNTW remains outstanding.

Sarah Dronsfield, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: “Following our inspection at the Hadrian Centre, we found a service that wasn’t fit for purpose, ward areas were small rooms and there was limited outside space and communal areas for people to use.

“When we looked at the Lowry ward, the ground floor was dirty with cigarette butts and paper cups lying around," she said.

James Duncan, chief executive at CNTW said: "We are aware that the wards at the Campus for Ageing and Vitality are not fit for purpose, which is why they are part of our Care Environment Development and Reprovision (CEDAR) programme.

"This is a multi-million pound investment in which we are moving, building and redeveloping several of our facilities to ensure we can deliver high-quality care in modern, safe, therapeutic environments.

"Work on this programme is continuing at pace, and we aim to move all three wards to the redeveloped Bamburgh Clinic at St Nicholas Hospital in spring 2024."