Cygnet Hospital Taunton has been rated as Good Overall by the Quality Care Commission.

This unannounced, focused inspection of the service’s acute wards took place in October as part of CQC’s ongoing mental health inspection programme.

Inspectors did not visit the acute inpatient wards during the March inspection as they had only recently opened but the longer-established wards were praised by the team.

"Staff supported patients to engage in the wider community. There were opportunities to access sport facilities and to watch sport at local clubs. Patients were able to access support groups in the local community, such as drug and alcohol support groups. Friends and family were encouraged to facilitate community leave and overnight visits," said the CQC.

The rating will be welcome news for Cygnet Health Care after a year which saw a number of its hospitals placed in special measures by the regulator and the closure of Whorlton Hall in Cheshire after a BBC Panorama undercover investigation revealed evidence of patient abuse.