Latest news with #CarolineDonovan
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Health trust improves but concerns remain
A mental health trust once rated the worst in the country has shown improvement in some of its services, with further progress needed, according to its latest inspection. Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) was lifted out of special measures in February after more than seven years, and rated as "requires improvement". The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has since inspected the trust's community services for adults and rated it as good, while crisis services remained at "requires improvement" - with ongoing concerns around emergency referrals and staffing. Caroline Donovan, chief executive of NSFT, said the CQC reports were "the most positive our trust has received in a decade". The trust, which is headquartered in Hellesdon, near Norwich, was the first of its type to receive extra support in 2015. The grade was removed the following year, but the trust returned to special measures in 2017 because of its poor performance. Its overall rating remains at "requires improvement" following the inspection in March, with both service areas having last been inspected in 2023. The CQC found previous breaches had been addressed, including physical health checks, access to crisis services, and staff training. But within crisis services, inspectors found it took an average of six minutes to answer 111 mental health crisis calls, which is almost two minutes above the national average. Dedication of staff Inspectors also found staff shortages were still a concern, despite some recent recruitment. Improvements had been made, included introducing a 24/7 urgent helpline, but the service still did not always assess emergency referrals within four hours, in line with national standards, it added. Feedback was "mostly positive" about staff attitudes and behaviours, and most people felt safe, understood and involved, the CQC found. At community services for adults, which had improved from "requires improvement", people described staff as caring, respectful and inclusive. People felt safe and were confident to raise concerns, but the CQC also found staff did not always share care plans or risk management plans. NSFT Crisis Campaign, which seeks to improve the service, said in a statement it was "the first time in a long time the trust is not going backwards", but said this was down to "scaffolding" from NHS England and the CQC. "The campaign still has great worries about the scale of change that needs to happen at the trust for it to at least operate as a safe and effective service," it added. Ms Donovan said the reports were testament to the dedication of its hardworking staff, who had "focussed relentlessly on improvements". "We are proud that these reports have acknowledged significant improvements we have made," she added. "However, we also recognise we have more to do to ensure we are consistently providing safer, kinder and better services to everyone who needs our support." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Mental health trust exits special measures status Related internet links Care Quality Commission NSFT
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
NSFT mental health trust improves but concerns remain
A mental health trust once rated the worst in the country has shown improvement in some of its services, with further progress needed, according to its latest and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) was lifted out of special measures in February after more than seven years, and rated as "requires improvement".The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has since inspected the trust's community services for adults and rated it as good, while crisis services remained at "requires improvement" - with ongoing concerns around emergency referrals and Donovan, chief executive of NSFT, said the CQC reports were "the most positive our trust has received in a decade". The trust, which is headquartered in Hellesdon, near Norwich, was the first of its type to receive extra support in grade was removed the following year, but the trust returned to special measures in 2017 because of its poor overall rating remains at "requires improvement" following the inspection in March, with both service areas having last been inspected in CQC found previous breaches had been addressed, including physical health checks, access to crisis services, and staff within crisis services, inspectors found it took an average of six minutes to answer 111 mental health crisis calls, which is almost two minutes above the national average. Dedication of staff Inspectors also found staff shortages were still a concern, despite some recent recruitment. Improvements had been made, included introducing a 24/7 urgent helpline, but the service still did not always assess emergency referrals within four hours, in line with national standards, it was "mostly positive" about staff attitudes and behaviours, and most people felt safe, understood and involved, the CQC community services for adults, which had improved from "requires improvement", people described staff as caring, respectful and felt safe and were confident to raise concerns, but the CQC also found staff did not always share care plans or risk management Crisis Campaign, which seeks to improve the service, said in a statement it was "the first time in a long time the trust is not going backwards", but said this was down to "scaffolding" from NHS England and the CQC. "The campaign still has great worries about the scale of change that needs to happen at the trust for it to at least operate as a safe and effective service," it Donovan said the reports were testament to the dedication of its hardworking staff, who had "focussed relentlessly on improvements"."We are proud that these reports have acknowledged significant improvements we have made," she added. "However, we also recognise we have more to do to ensure we are consistently providing safer, kinder and better services to everyone who needs our support." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Report accuses Norfolk and Suffolk NHS health trust of 'nepotism'
A report has uncovered allegations of nepotism and inequality at an NHS mental health study - led by former NHS equality director Yvonne Coghill - was based on the experiences of 100 members of staff at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) and was commissioned by NSFT included evidence that the disciplinary processes for staff from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background (BAME) were "more draconian". Dr Faisil Sethi, NSFT's deputy chief executive, said: "While we have made some progress, we have much more to do to reduce disparity of experience and improve the lives of our colleagues from black and minority ethnic backgrounds." The workforce race equality report found staff felt there were significant discrepancies in recruitment, career progression, the disciplinary process and equal opportunities. It included allegations of "widespread and problematic nepotism" and a fear of speaking up or making staff felt there was no clear process for dealing with racist patients. In the report, NSFT's leadership was accused of not understanding race, and senior leaders were accused of not listening. In the report, Caroline Donovan, NSFT chief executive, said it was her aim to ensure everyone "regardless of background has the best possible experience of working here".She added: "NSFT, similar to many organisations, has challenges of racial disparity which need urgent and sustaining leadership." The report recommended NSFT held a conference about the findings, and conducted an audit of its application process. It said all board members must have a clear and deep understanding of the issues and leaders must listen to BAME staff and commit to being anti-racist. Dr Sethi added that race discrimination was taken "extremely seriously" at said the report was part of the trust's commitment to embrace "cultural diversity and racial equality". Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
