A MEMBER of Parliament has praised a neuropsychiatric hospital in Darlington on a visit there after it received positive feedback from the regulator.

Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, visited Cygnet's St William’s and described the care and treatment services as “impressive", saying the neuropsychiatric hospital is providing much-needed support to people across the region.

Mr Gibson met patients and staff after writing to congratulate the facility for its Good rating, which was awarded by regulator the Care Quality Commission, on its first inspection.

Cygnet Health Care is known for supporting people with complex and acute mental health needs.

During the visit, Mr Gibson met with hospital manager Alison King, and head of care Jayne Davies.

The MP had a tour of the facility where he also met service users and their families.

The specialist hospital opened in February 2019 in response to unmet demand for neuropsychiatric services in the region.

The Darlington facility can support up to a dozen men affected by acquired brain injuries from anywhere in the UK.

Mr Gibson said: “I was delighted to accept Alison’s invitation to meet the team and tour the hospital.

"I was very impressed with the service and care being provided to people from a wide geographical area, and look forward to a continued relationship with St William’s and more visits in the future.”

The 12-bed hospital on Cornwall Avenue specialises in nursing people affected by acquired brain injuries including those as a result of trauma, stroke, tumour or infection, and offers a caring and long-term placement to men with progressive neurological diseases like Huntington’s Disease.

This helps people living with neurological diseases manage the progression of their symptoms.

Ms King said: “We were thrilled that Peter came to see us.

"He was really interested in the challenges our service users face, and the care we deliver.

"I think he was impressed that in the short space of time since opening we have been able to offer treatment to people from across the region that otherwise might have had to travel much further to get the specialist care they need.”

As well as employing a specialist team, the hospital hosts a range of activities to support the rehabilitation of its patients.

During lockdown, some staff held a dance-a-thon to raise money for charity and on another occasion, marked the VE Day anniversary with a BBQ and garden party.

The hospital boss added: “Despite the challenges over the last year with Covid-19, I am so proud of the team and what they’ve achieved to make sure our service users received the same high quality of care and support, while also not forgetting to have plenty of fun along the way.”

The recent Care Quality Commission inspection of St Williams singled out staff for their compassion and kindness towards patients.

This brings the Darlington hospital in line with Cygnet's other sites, 85 per cent of which are rated as good or outstanding, which puts them above the national average.