CQC rates mental health services in Northumbria ‘outstanding’

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

These mental health services, which are provided across North Tyneside and Northumberland, were not rated during the trust’s inspection in November 2015, and the trust remains ‘outstanding’ overall.

The CQC found that: staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities for reporting incidents, and incidents were reviewed and investigated by managers to prevent them from 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; and the service ensured that patients’ emotional and social needs were valued and listened to.

Dr Paul Lelliott, the Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals and 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.”