NHS trust providing mental health services rated ‘Good’ by the CQC

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which also provides learning disability and autism services across the Black Country, and family healthcare services in Dudley, has been rated ‘Good’ by inspectors with service users and carers sharing positive feedback on the care they have received.

As well as highlighting that the board had developed a supportive and collaborative culture, staff told inspectors they were proud to work for the trust and make a difference to those who used services.

Marsha Foster, interim chief executive officer said: "I am delighted that our latest inspection by the CQC recognises the continued and sustained hard work of our staff, without whom our achievement of a good rating would not have been possible.

"I am particularly proud that the CQC witnessed many examples of the caring nature of staff, and that they could see there was a positive and open culture across the Trust.

"I would also like to thank service users and carers for their contributions and continued involvement in helping us shape and develop services across Black Country Healthcare.

"Whilst there are many positives to take from the report it does highlight areas for improvement, particularly around our physical environments where we care for patients.

"We are working hard to address what needs to improve and we are committed to continuous learning.

"This report puts us in a great place to continue to work with partners across the Black Country to improve the quality of care and provide outstanding services for the communities we serve."

The rating comes as the first inspection for the Trust which formed in April 2020, following the merger of Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

The CQC rated the Trust ‘good’ overall and ‘good’ for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘requiring improvement’ on safety however, highlighting challenges with some of the ward environments, the need to ensure patients are provided with more information around medication and treatment and noted that access to care and support slowed the process of discharge.

The CQC did note that the Trust had plans in place to address these concerns.

Other areas of positive practice highlighted included that "patients said that staff treated them with respect and dignity" and "staff understood the individual needs of patients and supported them to understand and manage their care, treatment or condition."