A MENTAL health hospital has developed a “quality improvement plan” in a bid to turn its fortunes around after an inspection found one of its wards was dirty, damp and a risk to patients.

The Retreat, in Heslington Road, York, has compiled a 33 page dossier outlining everything the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said was wrong with the private institution during its visit in February, and what it plans to do to rectify the issues.

As previously reported by The Press, inspectors found managers had decided to re-open the Allis Unit in January 2017 and move six patients in while they carried out repairs to the nearby George Jepson unit, a ward for older people with mental health problems.

Two members of staff were so concerned at the risks it presented to patient safety that they reported 13 safeguarding alerts – leading the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct an unannounced inspection.

At the time of the inspection, all patients had been moved out of the Allis Unit, but the hospital was rated inadequate and chiefs were told they must not re-open it without first consulting the CQC.

The faults included the units having ligature risks, staff could not always see patients and there was often only one qualified nurse to cover the units.

The hospital said it will ensure the environment is fit for modern purposes through raising its awareness of the environmental risk assessment process.

Bosses have also vowed to improve the recruitment and retention of staff, after it identified agency workers had a negative impact on patients.

The report will be discussed by City of York Council’s Health, Housing and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on Tuesday.