Minutes:
The Committee received the Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust Quality Account for 2018/19.
Based on the OSC’s knowledge of the work of the Trust during 2018/19, the OSC were able to comment as follows:-
Quality Priorities for Improvement 2019-20
The OSC was supportive of all the quality priorities outlined for 2019-20 but expressed particular support for quality priorities 1. Improving the inpatient experience and quality priority 2. Improving waiting times.
In relation to quality priority 1. – improving the inpatient experience, OSC noted that as part of the Trust’s service improvement and developments during 2018-19 the Trust had been working with other agencies across Newcastle and Gateshead to redesign mental health services to ensure that people can easily access the right care and treatment for their needs within the community.
OSC acknowledged that for a variety of reasons implementation of this work was not occurring at the pace originally anticipated. However, OSC indicated that it was particularly keen to receive regular information from the Trust on the various stages of implementation and timeframes for this work during 2019-20. OSC planned to consider progress on this work as part of its 2019-20 work programme.
Progress against Quality Priorities in 2018-19
Safety – Improving the Inpatient Experience
The OSC has previously raised concerns with the Trust regarding the availability of inpatient beds and the fact that some service users are having to be admitted to beds outside their home locality/go out of the area and was pleased to note that there has been a reducing trend in the number of inappropriate out of area bed days during 2018-19. However, the OSC was keen that the position continues to be monitored to ensure that this good work is sustained.
Improving Waiting Times
OSC has previously raised concerns in relation to waiting times and was pleased to note that in Gateshead there have been improvements across waiting times for all service areas. OSC was particularly pleased to note the significant reduction in the number of children waiting for treatment and that none were waiting more than 18 weeks as at 31 March 2019. However, the OSC noted that changes to the provider arrangements for children’s services (with NTW bow acting as lead provider and sub-contracting with other providers as required) may impact on waiting times going forward. Changes in national reporting will also affect waiting times. It felt that this situation should be closely monitored and mitigating actions put in place as appropriate.
CQC
The OSC congratulated the Trust on achieving an overall rating of Outstanding from CQC and being one of only two mental health provider Trusts nationally to have achieved this rating.
The OSC was very pleased to nota that all the Trust’s core services have been rated as either good or outstanding and was pleased to note that the Trust’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Wards have now been re-categorised as Good in the Safe category due to reductions in restrictive practices and that wards for older people with mental health problems have been re-categorised to Good in the Effective category due to improvements in personalisation of care plans having both previously been rated as requires improvement.
However, the OSC noted that, during this period, acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units have been rated as “Requires Improvement” in terms of the category of Safety but received reassurances around actions being taken by the Trust to address this situation. The OSC also noted that the Trust has been accredited by the Accreditation for Working Age Wards (AIMS) and the Quality Network for Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.
RESOLVED - that the information be noted.