Emergency equipment on a mental health ward had not been checked in three months and some items were missing, according to the health watchdog.

A report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), published on Thursday, found that all mental health wards under Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) required improvement.

The inspection was of acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units, and included the Emerald ward which was based Medway Maritime Hospital at the time.

Despite its location the hospital is not in charge of the ward, and Medway NHS Foundation Trust is not contracted to provide mental health services. These services are run and provided by KMPT.

When inspected Emerald ward did not have all its emergency equipment and medication accessible or in date, or have effective systems for regularly checking that this was the case.

Equipment had not been signed as checked for three months, and there were items missing.

Inspectors also found that staff had not checked that drugs they had administered were included on the formal consent to treatment and emergency treatment forms.

Patients had not had their capacity to consent to treatment recorded in accordance with the Mental Health Act Code of Practice and staff were not always clear in their understanding of the Act and its code of practice.

The report also made note of the provision of acute beds – a problem that has been felt in Medway following the closure of mental health unit A Block last year, with some patients having to travel hundreds of miles for treatment following bed shortages in the county.

Cllr David Brake, chairman of the Medway Health and Wellbeing Board, said he welcomed the publication of the CQC report on KMPT.

“Not only is there a need for more acute local bed provision, it is clear more community services are needed to prevent the escalation of mental health needs requiring inpatient treatment.

“This, together with all aspects of safeguarding needs to be addressed urgently for the benefit of vulnerable adults in Medway. I await with interest the KMPT proposals.

The KMPT moved the ward from the hospital to Maidstone in June, but runs other mental health services in Medway.

Ruby Ward at Medway Maritime Hospital has 14 beds for male and female patients over 65 years of age.

The rehabilitation unit at Newhaven Lodge, Gillingham, has eight beds for adults under 65. The Crisis Hostel on Park Avenue, Gillingham, has five beds for female patients suffering from personality disorder.

The trust also provides liaison psychiatric services in Medway Foundation Trust and community mental health services in a number of other locations in Medway.

A spokeswoman for KMPT said: “We are committed to working in partnership with Medway CCG and other providers, including Medway Foundation Trust, to provide high quality mental health services to the population of Medway.

“In June 2015, following a commissioner-led review, KMPT moved patients from Medway Maritime Hospital into new accommodation in Upnor Ward, Maidstone. Upnor Ward is a new ward providing high quality, en-suite accommodation with quiet areas and garden space for patients.”