A REHAB facility in Halstead has received praise from a health watchdog for its comprehensive care plans for patients, who say it felt more like a “hotel”.

Sanctuary Lodge, a drug and alcohol treatment centre, in Hedingham Road, has been rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission, following an inspection last November.

Sanctuary Lodge was rated ‘good’ in all categories.

One of the positive points from the inspector’s report stated, “staff completed comprehensive assessments with clients on admission to the service”, with the plans reflecting the personalised needs for the patient’s road to recovery.

Halstead Gazette: Safe space - A room within Sanctuary LodgeSafe space - A room within Sanctuary Lodge (Image: Sanctuary Lodge)

To conduct the inspection, the Care Quality Commission spoke with eight members of staff, including support workers, nurses, and therapists.

The inspector also examined eight care records, and the organisation’s policies, procedures and documents related to the running of the service.

There was also positive feedback in the report from five clients who use the service.

It said: “Staff treated clients with compassion and kindness.

“They respected clients’ privacy and dignity.

“They understood the individual needs of clients and supported them to understand and manage their care, treatment, or condition.

“Clients we spoke with said the staff were excellent help, very friendly and gave lots of support to help clients understand their addiction and treatment.

Halstead Gazette: Sign - Sanctuary Lodge in HalsteadSign - Sanctuary Lodge in Halstead (Image: N/A)

“Clients said they were made to feel very welcome, the accommodation was cleaned daily and felt like a hotel.”

Sanctuary Lodge provides a “medically monitored detoxification service” for up to 22 clients requiring this service.

All clients are funded privately and during the inspection there were 16 in treatment.

The inspection reported that staff worked well together and had access to a range of specialists to meet the needs of clients under their care.

However, feedback from staff did note that its service would benefit from more support workers who knew the workings of the organisation as there had “been a lot of changes in staffing”.

Ben Raingill, chief operating officer for Sanctuary Lodge,  was delighted with the report.

He said: "We're immensely proud of our 'good' rating from the Care Quality Commission, as they're the independent regulatory body working on behalf of the Government in order to keep those most vulnerable safe. 

"Our rating proves that our facility is one to be trusted, either for your own addiction treatment journey or for a loved one."