Scrutiny Report Template
Scrutiny Report Template
Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Subject: Temporary Closure of Chalk Hill Hospital: Update April 2026
Date of meeting: 22 April 2026
Report of: The Chair of Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Contact Officer: Name: Giles Rossington, Scrutiny Manager
Email: giles.rossington@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: (All Wards);
Key Decision: No
1.1 In November 2025, the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) received a report from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) outlining plans to temporarily close Chalkhill hospital to allow the trust to make improvements to the unit, and develop and recruit to a new clinical model for the service.
1.2 This report provides an update on the implementation of these plans. Information provided by SPFT is included as Appendix 1 to this report.
2.1 Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee notes the contents of this report.
3.1 Chalkhill delivers a Tier 4 General Adolescent Unit inpatient mental health service (CAMHS). Chalkhill is run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) and is a 12-bedded mixed gender inpatient unit where children and young people are admitted if they require assessment and treatment for acute mental health needs. The unit is located in the grounds of the Princess Royal Hospital, Hayward’s Heath.
3.2 In October 2023 Chalkhill was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and the CQC’s inspection report made a number of recommendations for improvement. Subsequently, SPFT has sought to implement these recommendations, alongside internally identified improvement actions. The CQC carried out a further unannounced inspection in August 25 and raised concerns regarding patient safety. Due to lack of sustained improvement, the Trust made the decision to temporarily close Chalkhill.
3.3 The temporary closure of Chalkhill is intended to give SPFT the space to develop a sustainable clinical model for the unit that accurately reflects current service pressures which include additional demand for services focusing on eating disorders and on neurodiversity. Following the development of a new clinical model, SPFT plans to recruit to positions and carry out any necessary building works. To mitigate any impacts of the temporary closure, SPFT has made additional investment into community services. For young people requiring an acute admission, SPFT will refer into inpatient services in Hampshire, Surrey or Kent.
3.4 At the November 2026 committee meeting, HOSC members asked for regular updates on the progress of this project. Appendix 1 to this report provides an update prepared by SPFT.
4.1 Not relevant to this information report
5.1 None for this information report
6.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from this information only report.
Name of finance officer consulted: Ishemupenyu Chagonda Date consulted (dd/mm/yy):08/04/2026
7.1 No direct legal implications have been identified as having arisen from this Report.
Name of lawyer consulted: Victoria Simpson Date consulted 8.04.2026
8.1 None directly for the council as this report focuses on NHS services. SPFT has struggled to run a sustainable, high-quality service at Chalkhill in recent years, hence the decision to temporarily close the unit to develop and recruit to a new service model. Many Tier 4 adolescent units across the country have similar challenges. There is a risk that SPFT is unable to develop a truly sustainable new clinical model, such that it can recruit to the unit and deliver care of the quality required by the CQC.
9.1 None directly to this information report.
10.1 None identified
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 these are included in the main report and its appendix.
11. Procurement implications
11.1 None. This is not a procurement matter.
12. Crime & disorder implications:
12.1 None identified.
13.1 Committee is asked to note the progress of plans to temporarily close Chalkhill to develop and implement a new and sustainable clinical model for the unit.
Supporting Documentation
1. Information provided by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT).
1. November 2025 report to HOSC on the temporary closure of Chalkhill: Brighton & Hove City Council - Agenda item - Chalkhill Temporary Closure