Legal News

NHS watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published data on every NHS trust in England which provides mental health services, to inform the public how the commission decides on which services to inspect and the aspects of care it focuses on.

The CQC’s analysis of NHS trusts providing mental health services incorporates 59 different sources of evidence – and reveals “low concern” about the quality of NHS mental health services across England.

The analysis will be used to direct further inspections in April 2015, to make sure mental health services across England are “safe, caring, effective, responsive to people’s needs and well-led”.

A total of 57 health trusts across England provide mental health services – and the CQC has banded 39 of these in categories from one to four, denoting the highest risk and lowest risk providers.

A total of four of the trusts are in band one – while one-third of the 39 trusts are in band four.

CQC’s Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (lead for mental health), Dr Paul Lelliott, said:

“We have developed this ‘intelligent monitoring’ tool to give our inspection teams a clear indication of the aspects of care that may warrant further investigation on their inspections.

“While the bandings are not judgements of quality, we hope NHS trusts will use our analysis to reflect on where they may need to improve.

“It is encouraging that – of the NHS trusts that provide mental health services within bands, over a third are of lowest concern.

“Those that give us the greatest concern will be prioritised for inspection, so that we can be confident people receive safe, high-quality and compassionate care,” Dr Lelliott added.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors are the UK’s leading provider of Legal Aid mental health services – and can advise mental health patients on access to mental health care, as well as detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit police stations, prisons and hospitals to advise on mental health law – and are available for short-notice appointments across England.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.