An NHS trust which provides healthcare for nine prisons in Kent must make urgent improvements after suicide risks were uncovered.

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust was rated as requiring improvement following a four-day Care Quality Commission inspection in April.

The CQC reported ligature points were exposed at some of the trust's 'places of safety' where suicidal patients are often based.

There were also clear issues with admissions, meaning a number of patients had to wait on sofas and mattresses until a bed became available.

Forensic and secure wards — which are the ones the trust operates in Kent — were rated as requiring improvement for safety, effectiveness and leadership.

They were labelled good for being caring and responsive.

Overall the trust was rated as good for being effective, caring and responsive to people’s needs and requiring improvement for being safe and well led.

Oxleas provides care to inmates at Rochester Young Offenders Institution, the now empty Blantyre House, Canterbury, East Sutton Park, Elmley, Standford Hill, Swaleside, Maidstone and Dover Immigration Removal Centre.

It also runs Dartford's troubled Bracton Centre, which has hit the headlines in recent months after violent outbursts led to three staff members suffering serious injuries.

In July Myha Grant was charged with two counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life after allegedly stabbing two male staff members and lighting a fire at the facility.

Two weeks previously Vasile David was deported after permanently scarring nurse Claire Stott after throwing boiling water in her face at the centre.

In August a nurse employed by the trust was spared jail after embarking on a sexual relationship with an inmate at Maidstone Prison.

Professor Edward Baker, CQC’s deputy chief inspector of hospitals, said: “Overall, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust has a team who are providing care to a large geographical area with a diverse population. While we found many examples of good practice, there are a number of areas where improvements must be made.

“In the mental health acute care wards, it was clear that problems with patient admissions and the management of beds need to be addressed. A number of patients had to wait on sofas and mattresses until a bed became available

“At the time of inspection, CQC found that the trust had not adequately dealt with ligature points that can pose a danger to people at risk of suicide. When we visited the trust’s places of safety, CQC found that some areas were not fit for purpose and had several ligature points exposed.

“The trust can be proud of many of the services that it currently manages. Staff were caring and patient focused with a good understanding of their individual needs. In the community learning disabilities service, which we rated outstanding for caring, we observed a culture that was always person-centred, with highly motivated staff. Staff supported people in innovative ways to be active and equal partners in their care.

“The leadership of the trust have told us they have listened to our inspectors’ findings and we are confident that the staff will work to deliver these improvements on behalf of their patients. We will return in due course to check on the progress that they have made.”