CQC rates Sussex Partnership as Outstanding for caring

The previously troubled Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation has been awarded an overall rating of Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and assessed Outstanding for being caring.

The trust, which had previously been assessed as Requiring Improvement, was subject on an independent review after a 79-year-old patient was stabbed to death in 2015, prompting concerns that the trust severely underestimated the threat posed by some of those in its care.

However, the latest inspection has found that the new senior leadership team brought an ‘invigorated and open approach to the direction of the trust’, involving patients more in decisions concerning their care and improving the safety of older patients.

Sam Allen, chief executive, said: “At Sussex Partnership, we value the CQC’s role in helping us improve care and treatment for the patients, families and local communities we serve. I’m delighted we have moved from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’ because it reflects our passion for providing high quality patient care and working with carers, families and our partners to learn and improve. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in helping us do this. I am proud to be part of an organisation providing outstanding care. I am also proud to work alongside colleagues who come to work committed to helping people with their mental health and wellbeing and committed to the values of the NHS.”

Paul Lelliott, CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said: “Previously we rated services at the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as requires improvement. I am delighted that the Trust has taken to heart the findings from that and built on them to improve. We have found that the trust board and senior leadership team has put its clear vision and values at the heart of the organisation, working hard to make sure staff at all levels understood how this relates to their daily roles.

“During this inspection we have found examples of good practice in all core services we inspected. In particular we have seen a significant improvement in the quality of care. Services are more flexible and highly personalised to meet patients’ individual needs. I congratulate all concerned on the positive changes that we have found.”