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Court of Protection Solicitors
Mental health services in Coventry and Warwickshire “inconsistent” (8 May 2014)
Date: 08/05/2014
A Care Quality Commission (CQC) report has said that mental health services in Coventry and Warwickshire are “inconsistent”.
The Rugby Observer reports that the watchdog’s inspection into Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust found that wards at some mental health units were “poorly staffed” – and care was sometimes inconsistent because of agency or temporary staff being employed instead of permanent staff.
Permanent staff told CQC inspectors that delays in recruiting staff placed pressure on existing permanent staff.
Frequent changes in doctors working at the trust and poor management of doctors’ leave were also flagged up as concerns among existing staff at the trust.
Care for both older patients and children was found to be stretched, with one temporary staff member not receiving the name or clinical details of an elderly patient, and pressure on bed numbers plus a shortage of qualified nurses creating pressure in children’s wards.
Patients with complex care needs were also being cared for by less experienced staff, inspectors found.
Staff working at the trust were described by patients as “committed and caring”, however.
The CQC’s chief inspector Professor Mike Richards said further checks would be made after a list of 12 essential standards relating to care and quality and safety was issued.
"We found some examples of good practice in services and excellent training for some teams, but there were inconsistencies and good practice was not always replicated across the organisation.
"The trust is aware of its shortcomings, is receptive to our findings and has already begun to address the issues we highlighted," he said.
The trust’s chief executive Rachel Newson welcomed the report and said the trust had put itself forward for inspection and had “engaged fully” with CQC inspectors.
Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors
Duncan Lewis is a specialist firm of mental health solicitors and can advise mental health patients on access to mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and in some cases may be able to advise the next of kin or carer of a mental health patient.
For expert advice on mental health law and a patient’s rights under the Mental Health Act, contact the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.