The Care Quality Commission
  • Residential substance misuse service

Primrose Lodge

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

Perry Hill, Worplesdon, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 3RF (020) 8397 6820

Provided and run by:
Blue Skies Addiction Centre Ltd

Important: This service was previously registered at a different address - see old profile
Important:

We served a warning notice on Blue Skies Addiction Centre Ltd on 17 October 2025 for failing to ensure that the care and treatment of clients who used the service received safe care and treatment. We identified that clients were not seen face to face in person as part of the initial assessment process, the service did not corroborate information from a client’s own doctor regarding their medical history and staff performed physical health observations on clients that were beyond their skills and experience. This put clients at significant risk of harm as they may not receive the correct care and treatment required at Primrose Lodge.

All Inspections

During an assessment of Residential substance misuse services

An inspection of Primrose Lodge took place on 10 and 11 September 2025 using our Single Assessment Framework. We undertook this inspection following information of concern we had received and decided to assess if the service was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

Primrose Lodge is an 18-bed mixed gender facility providing medically monitored residential detoxification and psychosocial group work treatment for clients with a primary addiction to drugs or alcohol. All clients are funded privately and self-refer. At the time of inspection there were 13 clients receiving treatment at the service.

Primrose Lodge is operated by Blue Skies Addiction Centre Ltd, part of the UK Addiction Treatment Services (UKAT) network. Primrose Lodge was registered with CQC in February 2017 to deliver the regulated activities: Accommodation for persons who require treatment for substance misuse and Treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The service had a Registered Manager.

Primrose Lodge was last inspected in 2019 and rated good overall and in all 5 domains.

At this assessment we identified a breach of regulation 12 Safe Care and Treatment. At times the service had accepted clients into treatment that were too high risk for them to be safely managed in a medically monitored rehabilitation service that had no doctors or clinicians on site. Decisions to prescribe detoxification medicines were made without sufficient supporting information about the client’s medical history and the safety of proceeding with detoxification. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

In instances where CQC has begun a process of regulatory action, we may publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded, if the action has been taken forward.

Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act Compliance Summary

Mental Health Act

Primrose Lodge did not admit people detained under the Mental Health Act.

Mental Capacity Act

The service provided care for clients who could consent to treatment. Staff supported clients to make decisions on their care for themselves and recorded capacity to consent. They knew where to get accurate advice on the Mental Capacity Act.

During an assessment of the hospital overall

An inspection of Primrose Lodge took place on 10 and 11 September 2025 using our Single Assessment Framework. We undertook this inspection following information of concern we had received and decided to assess if the service was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

Primrose Lodge is an 18-bed mixed gender facility providing medically monitored residential detoxification and psychosocial group work treatment for clients with a primary addiction to drugs or alcohol. All clients are funded privately and self-refer. At the time of inspection there were 13 clients receiving treatment at the service.

Primrose Lodge is operated by Blue Skies Addiction Centre Ltd, part of the UK Addiction Treatment Services (UKAT) network. Primrose Lodge was registered with CQC in February 2017 to deliver the regulated activities: Accommodation for persons who require treatment for substance misuse and Treatment of disease, disorder or injury. The service had a Registered Manager.

Primrose Lodge was last inspected in 2019 and rated good overall and in all 5 domains.

At this assessment we identified a breach of regulation 12 Safe Care and Treatment. At times the service had accepted clients into treatment that were too high risk for them to be safely managed in a medically monitored rehabilitation service that had no doctors or clinicians on site. Decisions to prescribe detoxification medicines were made without sufficient supporting information about the client’s medical history and the safety of proceeding with detoxification. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

In instances where CQC has begun a process of regulatory action, we may publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded, if the action has been taken forward.

19th March 2019

During a routine inspection

  • The service had enough staff, was safe, clean, well equipped, well furnished, well maintained and fit for purpose.
  • The service used systems and processes to safely prescribe, administer, record and store medicines. Electronic systems allowed staff to have easy access to clinical information which meant they could maintain high quality electronic clinical records.
  • The service managed client safety incidents well.
  • Staff assessed the substance misuse history, physical and mental health of all clients on admission and created holistic and recovery-oriented care plans based on these assessments.
  • Staff provided a range of treatment and care for clients based on national guidance and best practice. They ensured that clients had good access to physical healthcare and supported them to live healthier lives.
  • The manager made sure they had staff with the range of skills needed to provide high quality care and maintained high levels of mandatory training.
  • Staff from different disciplines worked together as a team to benefit clients.
  • The senior management team had the skills, knowledge and experience to perform their roles and all staff treated clients with compassion and kindness.
  • The service treated concerns and complaints from staff and clients seriously, investigated them and learned lessons from the results. Clients and their families were actively approached to gather their feedback on the quality of care provided and shared this information with the whole team and wider organisation.
  • Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They said the organisation promoted equality and diversity in daily work and provided opportunities for development and career progression. They could raise any concerns without fear.

11 December to 12 December 2017

During a routine inspection

We do not currently rate independent standalone substance misuse services.

We found the following areas of good practice:

  • All clinical detoxification practices followed the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines with a reduction programme carried out over seven days.

  • Medical records were very detailed, with all clients assessed by a doctor on day of admission.

  • All staff had completed mandatory training in substance misuse, physical health issues, first aid and an intensive programme in medication administration.

  • Extensive risk assessments and risk management plans were completed on the client’s day of admission and regularly reviewed.

  • All staff were trained in, and had a clear understanding of, safeguarding.

  • Thorough care plans were written with the client and their families which involved all parties in decisions around an individual’s treatment and care.

  • Clients had access to a local GP for all physical and mental health needs while in treatment.