Published on: 21st April 2016
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has today (21 April 2016) published its reports following the comprehensive inspection of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust services in December 2015, which praised staff for their caring and compassionate approach to patient care.
Overall, the Trust was rated as Requires Improvement, with inspectors rating the Trust as Good for being caring and responsive.
Reflecting on the report’s findings, Trust Chief Executive, Dr John Brewin, said:
We were pleased that inspectors recognised our staff and volunteers - commenting on their caring, compassionate approach and the clear patient focus demonstrated by all teams.
We are absolutely committed to constantly improving our services for patients and carers. We always welcome external scrutiny and this report from the CQC will help inform the improvements we need to make, so that we can continue to provide high quality, safe care for our patients.
In common with any inspection there will always be areas for improvement, as well as examples of good practice. Our specialist community child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) received an Outstanding rating for their services for young people and families. Community services for older adults, learning disabilities and forensic inpatient care were also rated Good overall for the standard of care they provide.
However, the CQC said that improvements were needed in order for services to be safe, effective and well-led, with a particular focus needed on certain safety aspects.
The Trust anticipated an outcome of Requires Improvement, and it is the rating received by most mental health trusts inspected by the CQC to date.
Dr Brewin continued to say:
Around 27,000 people are under our care at any one time, and whilst we are extremely disappointed to have received an Inadequate rating for safe we want to reassure our patients that the Trust has already taken action. We will continue this work with focus and pace to address any further concerns identified.
Some of the areas highlighted in the CQC report
Good practice
- Specialist community child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) received an Outstanding rating for their commitment to young people and families, and this was supported by direct feedback they received from young people and their carers.
- Community services for older adults, learning disabilities and forensic inpatient care were rated Good overall for the standards of care they provide.
- Community street triage car was commended for the partnership work with East Midlands Ambulance Service and Lincolnshire Police.
- The Trust demonstrated a commitment to research and developing innovative practices that showed positive outcomes for young people with mental health problems.
Areas for improvement
- Wards and outdoor spaces need to be safe and appropriate for patients. Need to ensure fixtures and fittings cannot be used for harm. Risk assessments for all wards have now been reviewed and include outdoor spaces. We are currently in the process of removing any fixtures or fittings that could be used inappropriately to cause harm, and where this is not possible an appropriate interim solution or risk management plan is in place. Staff are clear how they can support patients to remain safe at all times.
- Where seclusion is required, that rooms are suitable and managed in line with national guidance. Seclusion facilities on acute wards are currently undergoing a range of changes as part of the Trust’s estate improvement programme. This includes access to bathroom facilities that protects patients’ privacy and dignity, whilst keeping them safe. This work is due to be completed shortly.
- Protecting privacy and dignity for patients on mixed-sex wards. All wards are reviewing the Trust's current safety, privacy and dignity policy to ensure we meet national guidance for mixed-sex accommodation. Staff have clear procedures in place to ensure we manage communal areas appropriately to protect privacy and dignity.
- Making sure teams have an appropriate and sufficient mix of staff to meet patients’ needs. A full review of safe staffing levels has taken place on our wards to ensure we continue to provide safe, high quality care. A similar review will take place in our community services. We continue to work closely with other health and care providers to tackle the challenges all NHS Trusts face with recruiting specialist qualified nurses, doctors and other professionals.
