WELWYN GARDEN CITY, England, August 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Mental health services at Milton Park Hospital, a specialist hospital for adults with autism and associated mental health and learning disabilities, have been praised following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Brookdale Care, one of the UK's leading providers of hospital, residential and supported living services for people living with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC), welcomed the publication this month of the latest Inspection Report for Milton Park Hospital by the CQC.

The inspectors examined the way that the hospital's management, multi disciplinary team and support staff ensure that patients receive the individualised support and intervention they need to improve their mental and physical health and emotional wellbeing.

The CQC visited Milton Park Hospital in March to assess the service against 17 standards including Patient Safety, Clinical and Cost Effectiveness, Governance and Patient Focus. The inspectors reported 'Standards Met' in 16 of the 17 areas that they assessed and that the standard was 'Almost Met' in one other area which has now been addressed. No standards were found to be 'Not Met'.

The Commission is pleased to report that [Milton Park Hospital] has made good progress in all areas highlighted during 2009. The hospital has undertaken a comprehensive training programme and staff now undertake all required mandatory training.

Lesa Walton, Care and Development Director at Brookdale Care, said;

At Brookdale Care we strive every day to deliver the highest level of care and support for people living with ASC. We are naturally delighted that our latest inspection report from the Care Quality Commission shows that our work at Milton Park Hospital is being recognised.

We have made a substantial investment in Milton Park since the last Inspection in April 2009, including increasing nursing staff numbers at all levels, creating new Head of Nursing and Operations Manager posts and doubling the induction training period for new starters.

Brookdale Care fully appreciates the important statutory role that the CQC undertakes, and remains committed to working with the CQC to ensure that we are providing the highest standard of care for our patients at Milton Park.

Notes for Editors: Brookdale Care - Established in 1995, Brookdale is a family-run company specialising exclusively in the delivery of dedicated hospital and residential care facilities for people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC). - Brookdale Care provides specialist care services at our purpose built hospital at Milton Park in Wyboston, Bedfordshire - the first of its kind in the UK - and a range of residential homes in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and North London. - Brookdale Care's philosophy is to deliver the safe, comfortable living environments and structured routines needed by people living with ASC and to provide individually tailored support and encouragement to help each service user maximise their potential. - Brookdale's Milton Park Independent Hospital and nine residential homes enable us to provide a complete range of services across the autistic spectrum, from those diagnosed with Autism and Learning Disabilities to those with High Functioning Autism or Asperger syndrome. - Brookdale offers the following range of services: - Specialist staff trained in ASC and challenging behaviours - Comprehensive and ongoing assessments and care plans - Specialist support from a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians and therapists - Structured education, employment and leisure activities - Bespoke educational courses at local colleges - Independent living skills - Community integration and involvement - For further information please visit our website at http://www.brookdalecare.co.uk

For more information call the Press Office on +44(0)1707-387853 or visit http://www.brookdalecare.co.uk

SOURCE: Brookdale Care

CONTACT: For more information call the Press Office on +44(0)1707-387853