Legal News
Worcestershire trust responds to CQC report criticising mental health services (13 July 2015)
Date: 13/07/2015
Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust has put in place a number of measures, after a report published in June by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) flagged up concerns and ranked the trust “requires improvement”.
Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust runs local mental health services across Worcestershire.
Local online publisher Worcestershire News reports that the CQC made an independent inspection of the trust’s services in January 2015 and raised concerns, which included issues with safety on mental health wards.
Inspectors found that some patients were not being fully assessed to determine whether they had the mental capacity to consent to treatment – and
young people’s mental health services not always “properly staffed”.
Inspectors, however, praised the way in which young people with mental health conditions were helped to recover through exercise.
The CQC report also praises the “sensitivity and dignity” afforded patients and the “clear information” offered stroke patients.
However, the CQC report criticises the Harvington Ward at Kidderminster Hospital – an in-patient ward for adults with mental health conditions.
Inspectors raised concerns that patients were unable to access the canteen – and there were also concerns that staff were not able to access the heating system, with the ward frequently being “too cold”.
The trust has already worked to ensure all staff know how to adjust the heating – and a new dining room has been created for the ward.
The trust is also planning to install mirrors in the ward, to ensure patients are visible at all times.
The trust has also put a serious of actions in place to address other concerns raised by the team of 80 inspectors, including ensuring all potential ligature points in mental health wards are identified and reviewed – and ensuring all staff are fully trained.
Ligature points may be a risk for patients who are at high risk of attempting suicide.
Director of quality at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Sandra Brennan, told a meeting of the trust that the inspection and subsequent report were “a really positive experience” – and added that “staff really embraced the challenge” of the CQC’s recommendations.
Ms Brennan said she and her colleagues were in frequent contact with the CQC about actions being taken.
“We are fully confident we’ve got a grip on what we need to do,” Ms Brennan said.
“We are expecting to have an updated inspection – we are hoping that is as soon as possible.
“Clearly we need to be gearing ourselves back up again for a re-inspection.”
Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors
Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors can advise NHS patients on access to services and their rights under the Mental Health Act.
Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors are the largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services in the UK – and are available at short notice for appointments at hospitals and police stations nationwide.
For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.