England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals has rated the community mental health services for people with a learning disability provided by Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as Outstanding following an inspection in April this year.
These mental health services, which are provided across North Tyneside and Northumberland, were not rated during the trust’s comprehensive inspection in November 2015, and the trust remains rated as Outstanding overall.
Dr Paul Lelliott, the Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (and CQC lead for mental health), said:
“Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provides community mental health services for people with a learning disability across North Tyneside and Northumberland.
“It is clear they are providing a safe, effective and caring service and CQC are pleased to be able to rate the quality of these services as Outstanding.
“We saw an holistic approach to all elements of people’s care. It starts with the assessment and planning of people’s care right through delivery to the time when the patient is discharged or makes the transition to other services. We found that people’s individual needs were central to every decision made.
“It is clear that staff that were proud to work at the trust. They spoke highly about the management and culture at the trust and this was clearly reflected in the positive things that people told us about these services.
Some of the findings from the report included:
- There was a genuinely open culture where staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities for reporting incidents. Incidents were reviewed and investigated by managers to see what could be done to minimise the risk of it happening again.
- The service had a proactive approach to anticipate and head off potential problems including low staffing levels and staff absence.
- The service used innovative approaches to deliver care and treatment.
- The service ensured that patients’ emotional and social needs were valued and listened to.
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We saw an holistic approach to all elements of people’s care.
Dr Paul Lelliott, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals