Linden House was warned it could be shut down earlier in the year after it was revealed reports found the secure hospital was not up to standard.

But the Care Quality Commission (CQC) conducted an unannounced inspection in March and released its report last week saying some improvements had been made over the quality of care, but made clear that further significant progress is required.

Tim Weller, the commission's senior enforcement manager, said: "We welcome the positive action that has taken place at Linden House but much more needs to be done.

"We are absolutely determined to make sure that the company takes the right action on behalf of patients.

"We are currently considering what further enforcement action needs to be taken to ensure compliance and will continue to closely monitor the situation at the hospital."

CQC's predecessor, the Healthcare Commission, had found in September and December last year that Linden House had not met requirements relating to issues such as handling controlled drugs, handling confidential information, staff training, staff levels and the adequate risk assessment of patients.
It consequently issued four statutory notices, warning the provider of potential legal action if it failed to comply.

At the follow up inspection in March, CQC found significant improvements had been made at Linden House in staffing levels at the hospital.

Assessors felt this had a positive impact on patients and nursing staff.
But the Commission found that the hospital had still not met all of the requirements detailed previously.

Since then, Linden House has said it will continue striving to improve by addressing the concerns raised by the CQC as a priority.
Run by Care Principles, Linden House has around 100 beds in both medium and low secure environments for adults with learning or developmental disorders and challenging behaviour who are detained under the Mental Health Act.