A new mental health hospital has been placed in special measures following an inspection by a health watchdog.

Mundesley Hospital was rated inadequate in a report published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC discovered a number of 'serious problems' at the private hospital which opened earlier this year.

The 27 bed unit, at the former Diana Princess of Wales Treatment Centre, was set up by business partners Elijah Adeyemi and Leigh Allison.

The project was the inspiration of Mr Allison who suffered a breakdown and needed hospital treatment about 16 years ago.

The CQC's deputy chief inspector of hospitals Dr Paul Lelliott said: 'We found a number of serious problems when we inspected the services run by Mundesley Hospital and have subsequently placed the service into special measures.

'All of the care plans examined lacked detail, staff did not always ensure that patients were aware of their rights and not all staff had completed mandatory training required to do their jobs correctly and effectively.'

He added: 'We were concerned that the monitoring and recording of rapid tranquillisation was incomplete and nurses did not consistently monitor the physical health of patients who received this.'

A number of 'serious incidents' were also found to have taken place at the hospital, which had not been revealed to the CQC.

Patient freedom was restricted due to the layout of the building and the need for staff escorts according to the report.

Inspectors found that strangulation risk assessments had also not been reviewed since the hospital started admitting patients.

Several 'serious incidents' were found to have taken place at the hospital, which had not been reported to the CQC. Strangulation risk assessments had also not been reviewed since patients were admitted.

Overall, the hospital was rated inadequate for being safe and well-led, requires improvement for being effective and good for being caring and responsive.

A statement from the hospital said: 'We and our stakeholders are undoubtedly disappointed to read the report about us from three months ago.

'However, we are certain that the ongoing developments we have made already put us in a completely different place now and that the CQC will see this when they next visit.

'Mundesley Hospital is very proud of this as it is fundamental to the incredible clinical outcomes that we have achieved to date with our patients during this early stage of our development.

'We value the commentary provided by the CQC and this will form part of our ongoing development.'