NHS trust's mental health service improves rating

An NHS mental health service which was told it required improvement by a watchdog has now been rated as "good".

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) to inspect its specialist mental health service in June after it found breaches in regulations in 2021.

According to a report, the breaches within the AWP's children and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) in 2021included risk assessments, waiting lists, safe staffing levels and environmental.

However the healthcare watchdog confirmed earlier the AWP's CAMHS is no longer in breach of the regulations, and upgraded the service to good.

The CQC added that AWP's overall rating remains requires improvement.

AWP runs mental health services in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.

CAMHS provides assessment, advice and treatment for children and young people with severe and complex mental health problems.

Sarah Jones, chief nursing and quality officer at AWP, said the trust will "continue to build the progress on recent years".

The CQC said CAHMS has been rated good overall, after upgrades to the service were deemed as safe and responsive.

During the inspection, the watchdog found staff developed "bespoke care packages" for young people, and was able to keep hospital admission rates low.

Inspectors also found staff ensured young people who were on the waiting list had access to 24-hour crisis support, adding staff checked up on them to see if there was any change.

However, inspectors found CAMHS did not always involve young people in planning their care, and some young people had not seen a copy of their care plan.

Jones added: "We are especially heartened to hear feedback from children, young people, and their families that the support they receive is making a positive difference in their lives.

"We know there is always more we can do, and we remain committed to listening, learning, and improving."

Michelle Cox, clinical director with responsibility for CAMHS, said: "We want children, young people, and their families to help shape the services they use, and we will continue to work alongside them to understand what matters most."

Shane Devlin, NHS Gloucestershire and NHS Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board's chief executive, said improving mental health provision for children and young people is a "high priority for our health and care system".

The report will be published on CQC's website in the coming days.

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