CQC rates CNWL as ‘good’

The Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL), which provides community and mental health services across the south-east, has made significant improvements since its last inspection and has been rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

CQC undertook this inspection to find out whether CNWL had made improvements since February 2015, when it was rated ‘requires improvement’ overall.

Since the last inspection the trust has made considerable improvements especially in their inpatient mental health services. These include: improving how beds are managed across the trust; making ward environments safer; ensuring there are sufficient staff to meet the needs of patients; separating patients of different genders which are older and suffer with mental health problems to promote their dignity; making emergency resuscitation equipment accessible; and improving physical health support for patients with mental health needs.

The trust still needs to make improvements, though. Further work is needed to reduce the number of incidents of restraint including prone restraint, and records of restraint need to be completed correctly so it can be monitored. Appropriate checks must be carried out where rapid tranquillisation is used to ensure patient safety. The staff turnover was found to be very high and patients are not always receiving consistent care, and many patients are not receiving timely access to psychological therapies.

Paul Lelliot, Deputy Chief Inspector (Mental Health), Hospitals, said: “I am very pleased at the improvements that have been made at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. The trust has a skilled and experienced leadership team who are committed to providing high quality services. Its Good overall rating is a testament to the staff at the trust and the successful implementation of the trust’s comprehensive improvement plan.”