CQC downgrades CPFT older people’s mental health wards to “Requires Improvement”
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has downgraded the rating of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) wards for older people with mental health problems from “Good” to “Requires Improvement” following an inspection carried out in January 2026.
Inspectors visited wards at Fulbourn Hospital in Cambridge and the Cavell Centre in Peterborough, with the inspection prompted in part by concerns raised by people using the service.
The service has been rated Requires Improvement for being safe and well-led, while retaining Good ratings for effective, caring and responsive care.
Key concerns identified by inspectors
The CQC highlighted a number of concerns relating to safety, leadership, dignity, and overall management of risk within the service.
A key issue identified was weak oversight of safeguarding and safety information, with inspectors finding that the trust did not always maintain a centralised record of safeguarding incidents. This limited leaders’ ability to fully review, learn from, and act on concerns.
Staffing levels were also raised as a significant issue. Many staff reported feeling there were not enough colleagues on shift, impacting their ability to provide consistent one-to-one care. Inspectors observed periods where wards were left without visible staff presence, raising concerns about oversight and safety.
The report also noted that limited staffing impacted daily activities for patients, particularly at weekends, with some people reporting they felt bored due to a lack of structured activity. In addition, some people told inspectors they did not always feel fully involved in decisions about their care.
Concerns were also raised about:
- Dignity in care, with staff observed carrying out health observations in communal areas and instances where appropriate clothing and privacy were not consistently supported
- Medicines management, including gaps in staff training and inconsistent storage and recording practices
- Infection prevention and food safety, with inspectors identifying breaches in hygiene standards, including unsafe cleaning practices
- Environmental risks, including alarms triggering incorrectly and insufficient oversight of potential hazards such as ligature risks and portable heaters
Despite these issues, the CQC noted that most staff were kind, respectful, and skilled, and were often able to de-escalate situations compassionately when people were distressed.
Leadership concerns
The inspection concluded that leadership and oversight required improvement, particularly in relation to identifying risks, maintaining safety systems, and ensuring consistent standards across wards.
Stuart Dunn, CQC deputy director of mental health in the East of England, said inspectors found that leaders had “missed some concerning gaps in people’s safety” and that improvements were needed to ensure risks and incidents are properly monitored and acted upon.
He added that while many staff were delivering good-quality care, leaders must ensure they have full oversight of ward activity to maintain safety and quality consistently.
Areas of good practice
Despite the concerns, inspectors also highlighted some positive practice within the service.
Relatives and carers told inspectors that staff were supportive, helpful and caring, reflecting the commitment of frontline teams.
One ward, Denbigh Ward, was also noted for innovation, including a trial of virtual reality headsets designed to help people prepare for leaving hospital by revisiting familiar places virtually.
What this means for our local community
This downgrade will be concerning for families, carers and people who rely on inpatient mental health services for older people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
While the report recognises that care remains kind and effective in many areas, the concerns around safety, staffing and leadership highlight that improvements are urgently needed to ensure people consistently receive safe, dignified and person-centred care.
For local communities, this report underlines the importance of:
- Ensuring sufficient staffing levels on inpatient wards
- Strengthening leadership oversight and accountability
- Improving opportunities for meaningful activity and engagement for patients
- Protecting dignity and involvement in care decisions for older people with mental health needs
Healthwatch perspective
Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough welcomes the CQC’s role in identifying where improvements are needed and recognising areas of good practice within the service.
However, the findings are clearly concerning, particularly around safety oversight, staffing pressures and dignity in care. Older people receiving inpatient mental health care are among the most vulnerable patients, and it is essential that services consistently meet their needs safely and respectfully.
We will continue to monitor experiences of patients, families and carers, and work with CPFT and system partners to ensure that the issues raised in this report are addressed and that improvements are sustained.
