This blog post is based on our CQC inspection conducted on September 28, 2021, and published November 17, 2021. We believe in transparency and are committed to sharing both our successes and our areas for improvement with everyone we serve.

We’re proud to share the results of our recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection with you. Transparency is at the heart of everything we do at Ocean Recovery and Wellness Centre, and we believe you deserve to know exactly what independent inspectors found when they visited our Blackpool facility.

We’re delighted to have achieved an overall Good rating from the CQC! This reflects the dedication of our incredible team and the compassionate, evidence-based care we provide every single day.

Our 14-bed centre here on Queens Promenade offers 24-hour support for adults from across the UK who are ready to break free from alcohol or substance dependency. When the CQC inspectors visited us on September 28, 2021, they found a service delivering quality care with compassionate staff, effective treatment programmes, and strong leadership.

We’re transparent about the fact that we also had one area flagged for improvement – our mandatory training compliance. We took this seriously and immediately began addressing it, because your safety is our top priority.

What We’re Doing Really Well

1. A Clean, Safe Haven

You’ll find our centre spotlessly clean and thoughtfully maintained. We take infection control seriously (especially important during COVID-19):

– We clean touch points three times every day

– Every Friday, we deep-clean the entire centre from top to bottom

– Risk assessments cover every area of our building

– Every bedroom has been assessed for safety

2. Our Team is Here for You

– We maintain careful staffing levels to ensure you always have support

– We rarely need to use agency staff – our team knows you and your journey

– A nurse is on-site Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm

– A doctor is available 24/7 by phone and can be here quickly in an emergency

– We have strong cover arrangements, so there’s always someone here for you

3. Managing Risk Together

Your safety starts the moment you walk through our doors:

– We complete a comprehensive risk assessment within 48 hours of your arrival

– For your first 24 hours, we check on you every 15 minutes

– Our staff are trained to spot warning signs like breathlessness, changes in speech, or lack of appetite

– We use the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol tool – the gold standard for monitoring withdrawal

– Every single member of our team has completed safeguarding training

4. Medication You Can Trust

We take medicines management seriously:

  • All prescription charts are kept immaculately
  • Our controlled drugs register is always up-to-date and clear
  • We have a naloxone champion on-site, and every staff member is trained to use it
  • Emergency medicines are always readily available
  • When inspectors checked all seven clients’ medication records, every single one was in perfect order

Where We Fell Short (And What We Did About It):

Here’s where we need to be honest with you. Our mandatory training compliance was at **74%** – well below where it should be. Some critical safety training areas were particularly low:

  • Fire Training: 70.59%
  • First Aid Awareness: 64.2%
  • Health and Safety: 47%
  • Basic Life Support: 51.7%
  • Environmental Risk Assessment: 21.05%
  • Defibrillator and CPR: 64.29%
  • Moving and Handling: 21.05%
  • Record Keeping: 42%
  • Equality and Diversity: 57.1%

We know this isn’t good enough.

The CQC issued a requirement notice, and we immediately developed an action plan to get every team member up to date with their training. Your safety depends on it, and we take that responsibility seriously.

This was a wake-up call, and we were grateful for it. We’ve strengthened our training monitoring systems to ensure this never happens again.

Effective Treatment That Works

This is where we really shine! Our approach to treatment is comprehensive, evidence-based, and – most importantly – it works. Here’s what makes our treatment effective:

We Get to Know YOU

Within 48 hours of your arrival, we complete a full assessment of your alcohol or drug dependency. But we don’t stop there – we assess your physical health, your mental wellbeing, and what you need to truly recover. Your care plan is built around you, not a template.

Every two weeks, we review your progress together and adjust your plan as needed. This is your journey, and we walk alongside you every step of the way.

Evidence-Based Therapies That Work

We offer a range of proven treatments, including:

– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

– Mindfulness practices

– Trauma counselling

– And more, tailored to what you need

Everything we do is grounded in national guidance and best practice. We’re not reinventing the wheel – we’re using approaches that have been proven to help people just like you.

Our Success Rate Speaks for Itself

Here’s a number we’re incredibly proud of: **92% of our clients successfully complete their treatment**. That’s not just a statistic – that’s 92 out of every 100 people who walk through our doors and find their way to lasting recovery.

Your Physical Health Matters Too

Recovery isn’t just about stopping substance use – it’s about becoming healthier in every way. To support you on this front, we:

  • Monitor your blood pressure and pulse regularly
  • Check blood sugar levels if you have diabetes
  • Connect you with GPs and specialists when needed
  • Register you with a local surgery if you’ve just joined us
  • Conduct dietary assessments weekly or fortnightly with our nurse

We even brought in an advanced practitioner to help us better understand how stopping alcohol affects blood sugar for clients with diabetes. Your health is that important to us.

A Team That Keeps Learning

Our staff aren’t just qualified – they’re committed to continuous improvement:

  • 94% are up-to-date with their clinical supervision (we aim for 6 sessions annually)
  • 89% have completed their annual appraisals
  • Every new team member gets a comprehensive induction
  • We provide specialist training in areas like naloxone use and drug/alcohol occupational standards

We take the Mental Capacity Act seriously. 85.7% of our staff have completed their training, and we have a doctor on-site who can conduct capacity assessments when needed. We also have links with external mental health services for additional support. You’re always at the center of decisions about your care.

Where We Can Do Even Better:

The CQC suggested we consider using additional recognised outcome measurement tools. We currently use the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol tool (the industry standard), and some staff use the recovery star. We’re exploring how to use a broader range of tools more consistently across our entire team to better track your progress and outcomes.

A Place Where You’re Truly Cared For

This rating fills our hearts with pride because caring isn’t just what we do – it’s who we are. The CQC spoke with all seven clients who were staying with us during their visit. Here’s what they shared:

  • “We’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness and experience of staff.”
  • “Staff made us feel welcomed and treated us as individuals.”
  • “The transformation in people from admission to now is amazing.”

One client shared how they’d had a particularly difficult day, and two staff members checked on them regularly throughout the day to make sure they were okay. Another told inspectors about raising concerns for a fellow client’s health, and how the staff response was “brilliant.” When a client experienced a bereavement during their stay, they described how supportive our team was during that painful time.

These aren’t just nice words on a report – this is the heart of what we do every single day.

How We Show We Care:

This all comes down to our belief that you’re a person, not a number. We’re convinced that our strong rehab completion rates are based on the facts that:

You’re a person, not a number

  • Our staff know you – your name, your story, your struggles, your strengths
  • We respect your privacy and dignity in every interaction
  • We’re understanding when things get hard (and they sometimes do)
  • We’re responsive to your emotional needs, not just your physical ones

Your voice matters

– You’re involved in creating your care plan from day one

– We review your progress together every two weeks

– In our weekly meetings, you can suggest topics for group sessions

– We adapt our communication style to what works for you

– You can give feedback through comment cards or our formal complaints process (though we rarely need it!)

We support your loved ones too

The two family members the CQC spoke with praised how we kept them informed about their loved one’s progress. We:

  • Use a code word system to protect your confidentiality while keeping your family in the loop (with your permission)
  • Provide information about carer assessments
  • Have a clear complaints process (though the carers we spoke to had never needed it)
  • Welcome letters from family members

Empowering you for life after treatment

We help you understand and manage your own recovery, including:

  • We connect you with independent advocacy if needed
  • When you’re ready to leave, we provide information about mutual aid groups, community substance misuse services, and our own aftercare programme
  • We support you in accessing other services you might need

Responsive to Your Needs

We understand that when you’re ready for treatment, you need it quickly. We also know that the environment where you heal matters tremendously.

Getting you the help you need, fast:

We know that lengthy waiting lists, particularly in rehab health, are counter-productive, that’s why:

  • Typically, you can join us within 24 hours of your pre-admission assessment
  • We conduct pre-admission screening, so we know we can meet your specific needs before you arrive
  • We’re open to any adult with substance misuse issues
  • If we can’t meet your needs, we’ll help connect you with services that can

Discharge that’s right for you

In the past year, we only had two delayed discharges – both due to housing challenges, not our readiness. We achieved that because:

  • We plan your discharge carefully with care managers and coordinators
  • We never discharge you in the middle of the night or at the crack of dawn
  • We arrange your transport – whether that’s a taxi or train tickets
  • You leave with comprehensive aftercare information in hand

Your home away from home:

Every single one of our rooms is private (and during COVID, we maintained single occupancy for extra safety).

  • Your own bedroom that you can personalise
  • En-suite bathrooms in most rooms
  • Lockable wardrobes to keep your belongings secure
  • Ground floor rooms available if you have mobility challenges
  • We’ve installed a stairlift for accessibility

Spaces for healing and connection

Rehab is about more than medicinal treatment and therapy sessions, although they’re really important. Our centre is designed to ensure all your needs are met:

  • A fully equipped clinic room for your medical needs
  • Kitchen and dining area
  • Comfortable communal lounge
  • Outdoor space you can easily access for fresh air
  • A dedicated room for group sessions with a large screen and internet
  • Quiet areas where you can have private conversations

The Food! (Seriously, Everyone Loves It)

All seven clients told the CQC inspectors how much they loved our food. Here’s why:

  • We have an in-house chef who prepares varied, high-quality meals
  • Special dietary needs? No problem – our chef is incredibly accommodating
  • You can make your own hot drinks and snacks whenever you want (independence matters!)
  • The inspectors noted: “Clients said that the food was very good, and the chef was very accommodating”

Connecting You to the World:

  • Staying active and engaged is important for succesful rehabilitation. The CQC report commented on the positive benefits of our:
  • Daily walks in the local Blackpool community
  • Educational group sessions that help prepare you for employment
  • Health and wellbeing projects covering stress, nutrition, and exercise
  • We provide tablets, and you can bring your own laptop
  • Access to online therapies and video calls with family

Spiritual and Cultural Support

We honor all backgrounds and beliefs:

  • Meditation classes available here
  • We’ll help you access local churches and mosques
  • Translation services available when needed
  • Information leaflets can be provided in different languages

When things don’t go right:

We take complaints seriously, but we’re pleased to say we rarely receive them. In the previous 12 months, we had two formal complaints, both related to care dissatisfaction. We:

  • Investigated both thoroughly
  • Learned lessons (including ensuring documentation is crystal clear)
  • Shared those lessons with our team
  • Used mediation successfully when conflicts arose between clients

We also celebrate our successes! When clients or family members send us letters of appreciation, we share them with the team and display them on our noticeboards. It reminds us why we do this work.

Strong Leadership That Cares

Behind every great treatment centre is strong leadership, and we’re proud of the team leading Ocean Recovery.

Experience You Can Trust:

Our leaders know recovery – it’s important to us that those involved in our direction are deeply experienced with rehab and recovery:

  • Our service manager has 27 years of experience in substance misuse settings
  • Our recovery lead has 10 years in the field
  • They’re not hidden away in offices – they’re visible, approachable, and accessible
  • They regularly audit care records and provide feedback to promote best practice
  • They offer practical, compassionate advice on everything from medicines management to helping clients engage when they’re feeling resistant

Our values drive everything:

We operate on five core values that guide every decision we make: R.E.H.A.B.

  • Respect –  for every person who walks through our doors
  • Endurance – through the challenging journey of recovery
  • Holistic –  care that treats the whole person
  • Action – not just talking about recovery, but doing it
  • Brave – because it takes courage to change

Every member of our team understands these values and how they apply to their daily work. We discuss strategy together in team meetings, supervision sessions, and appraisals. This is a team effort.

A culture where staff thrive:

Our staff tell us they feel respected, supported, and valued. They’re proud to work here and feel part of our future direction. We monitor staff morale, job satisfaction, and empowerment because happy staff provide better care.

When clients write letters about how we’ve changed their lives, we read them aloud to our team. We want every staff member to see the real impact of their compassion and dedication. We’re also firmly invested in career development:

  • Every appraisal includes a conversation about career development
  • We provide access to occupational health for both physical and emotional support
  • When staff need medical appointments or time off for procedures, we actively encourage them to take it
  • We invest in professional development and specialist training

An open, inclusive culture

Making sure all voices are heard and feel confident to speak out is essential to a positive rehab setting.

  • We have a whistle blowing policy accessible to all staff
  • Staff feel they can raise concerns without fear
  • We promote equality and diversity in everything we do
  • Career progression opportunities are available to everyone
  • We deal with team difficulties appropriately and promptly

How We Ensure Quality

Strong governance, clear information architecture, and managing risk are all crucial for responsible recovery provision. We’re proud of how the CQC identified our approaches on this front:

Strong governance

We have robust systems to ensure quality:

  • Clear frameworks for discussing essential information
  • We implement learning from incidents and complaints
  • Regular clinical audits provide assurance
  • Strong collaboration with internal and external teams
  • Quality assurance is woven through all our policies and procedures

Information that works

– Our data systems are user-friendly and not burdensome for frontline staff

– Our IT infrastructure supports quality care (and actually works!)

– We maintain confidentiality through training and clear procedures

– Information is timely, accurate, and identifies areas for improvement

– We make appropriate notifications to external bodies like the CQC

Managing risk effectively

– Our risk register reflects real concerns raised by staff

– Staff can escalate concerns when needed

– We have emergency plans for everything from adverse weather to fire, floods, and IT failures

– We monitor sickness and absence to ensure adequate coverage

Where Our Systems Let Us Down:

Here’s where we need to be honest again: while our governance framework was largely strong, our systems for monitoring mandatory training compliance were clearly not working as they should. This allowed the significant training gaps to develop that we discussed in the “Safe” section.

We’ve completely overhauled our training monitoring processes to ensure this never happens again. Quality governance is only as good as its implementation, and we failed in this area. We’ve learned, and we’re better for it.

Our Commitment to You

This CQC inspection gave us an opportunity to showcase what we do well – and to identify where we need to improve. We’re proud of our 92% successful treatment completion rate, the compassionate care our team provides, and the positive feedback from clients and their families.

What This Meant Going Forward:

Our Immediate Actions:

We immediately addressed the mandatory training compliance issues:

– Developed a comprehensive action plan to get every team member up-to-date

– Implemented robust tracking and monitoring systems

– Prioritised critical safety training, including fire safety, first aid, basic life support, and CPR

– Strengthened our governance processes to prevent this from happening again

Why Transparency Matters

We chose to share this inspection report with you – the good, the challenging, and everything in between – because transparency is fundamental to trust. You deserve to know:

– What independent inspectors found when they visited

– Where we excel (our caring staff, effective treatments, responsive services)

– Where we’ve fallen short (mandatory training compliance)

– What we’re doing about it

Recovery requires trust, and trust requires honesty.

Your Journey Starts Here

Our experienced team is here to support you through evidence-based treatment in a comfortable, caring environment. With comprehensive assessment, personalised care planning, and a range of therapeutic approaches, we’ll work with you to build the foundation for lasting recovery.

Our doors are open, our team is ready, and we’re committed to being transparent partners in your recovery journey.

 

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: January 30, 2026

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.