A mental health hospital in Leek has been rated as 'requires improvement', while an 'inadequate' rated Rudyard hospital run by the same group has closed.

Leek Nub News reported previously how the Care Quality Commission gave 'inadequate' ratings to the John Munroe Hospital in Rudyard and the Edith Shaw Hospital in Leek - both of which are mental health hospitals run by the John Munroe Group - after whistleblowers came forward with concerns.

The concerns began following a Covid outbreak at the hospitals in late 2020, which resulted in several patients dying.

The Leek and Rudyard hospitals were rated 'Inadequate' back in April 2021, but a new inspection in October of the same year found that they had both become even worse since then, and maintained the 'Inadequate' ratings.

However, in a new inspection it was found that the Edith Shaw Hospital has improved, and has now had its rating upgraded from 'inadequate' to 'requires improvement'.

The latest inspection found that while the service had improved since the previous inspection, further improvement was still required.

The John Munroe Group has since welcomed the upgraded rating, but has also said they are planning to appeal.

Meanwhile, the John Munroe Hospital, which cared for up to 57 adults with long term mental health needs, has now closed down, and work is currently underway to find alternative placements for its patients.