Introduction

Community Mental Health Services Downgraded After CQC Inspection, Trust Pledges Reforms

According to reports, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has downgraded several mental health services provided by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust from “outstanding” to “requires improvement,” following an inspection carried out in February. The assessment focused on community-based mental health services for working-age adults and highlighted several areas of concern contributing to the decline in ratings.

One of the key findings was the continued use of outdated care plans, which failed to reflect patients’ current needs and conditions. Inspectors also flagged long waiting times for therapy services, with some patients reportedly left waiting up to two years. While initial phone calls were often made as a form of contact, they were criticised by service users for lacking follow-up and timely access to treatment, leaving many feeling disheartened and unsupported.

Staff training also emerged as a significant issue. The CQC noted that training on learning disabilities and autism was not mandatory for all staff, a failure that breached requirements set out in the Health and Care Act 2022. In response, the trust has since made this training compulsory.

To address the shortcomings, the trust has introduced a series of corrective actions. These include the recruitment of temporary staff and the introduction of weekend assessments to help reduce waiting lists and improve accessibility. A spokesperson for the trust acknowledged the issues and affirmed their commitment to improvement, stating, “We recognise that improvements need to be made and will take action to ensure that the concerns identified are addressed.”

Victoria Marsden, a CQC representative, noted that the inspection revealed a significant deterioration in service quality compared to the trust’s last review in 2016. “The overall environment within the trust did not support the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care,” Marsden said. She added that staff were operating in a system that did not enable them to offer optimal support to patients.

Another concerning observation from the report was the inconsistency in how staff communicated patients’ rights under the Mental Health Act. Inspectors found that in many cases, information about legal rights was not clearly or effectively explained, potentially leaving individuals unaware of their entitlements.

Despite the setbacks, the CQC did highlight positive aspects of care. Many patients reported that staff were respectful, attentive, and handled sensitive issues with discretion. They also valued the clear communication regarding treatment plans and felt that their views were listened to, which offered some reassurance amid broader systemic challenges.

The trust is now under pressure to restore the high standards it once held. The CQC’s findings underline the urgent need for continued reform in areas such as staff training, timely service access, and internal culture. While improvements are underway, sustained effort will be necessary to ensure patients receive the compassionate, responsive mental health support they deserve.