Priory Hospital Solihull in top 3% of mental health hospitals in England 

A Solihull mental health hospital has been awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following inspections in January and February last year.

Priory Hospital Solihull supports up to 31 adult males with complex mental health needs in partnership with the NHS, providing high dependency and community rehabilitation and recovery services.

The rating represents an upgrade from the hospital’s previous ‘good’ rating and places it among the top 3% of mental health hospitals in the country.

What inspectors found

Inspectors praised the service for delivering personalised, holistic and recovery-focused care, with patients, families and healthcare professionals all providing consistently positive feedback about staff kindness, respect and involvement. 

Patients described feeling “heard and safe” and spoke proudly about their involvement in improving the service.

One patient told inspectors it was the “best hospital I have been in.” 

Another completed a university degree during their stay with the support of staff throughout.

Leadership praised

A key factor behind the upgraded rating was leadership, with inspectors describing it as “exceptional and distinctive” and praising a “values-driven” culture where staff feel valued and confident to speak up.

Hospital Director Aimee McCooey said: “What stands out most is our culture. We are a values-driven service and that positive culture runs through everything we do, supporting people to live their best lives and achieve meaningful progress in their recovery.”

Priory is the largest independent provider of mental health services in the UK, caring for 24,000 people a year across 270 sites.