Issue - meetings

Resolved: the committee noted the presentation and complimented SLaM for the examples of good practice highlighted by the CQC, in particular its centralised place of safety. It also noted, however, that the failure to hold a quality summit following the inspection was a breach of protocol.

Dr Ranga Rao (Clinical Director, SLaM) introduced the report. The following key points were noted:

7.1       The CQC inspected South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) in September 2018.

7.2       SLaM provides mental health services in Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark and Croydon.

7.3       The CQC gave SLaM an overall rating of “good”. It noted improvements since its inspection in 2015.

7.4       The CQC recognised a number of examples of good practice, including: SLaM’s centralised Place of Safety; its specialist eating disorder services; and its work on new models of care.

7.5       The CQC also noted a number of SLaM’s digital innovations, including the piloting of electronic observations and a personal health record to engage patients digitally in their care.

7.6       Areas of good practice identified relating to Lewisham included: the ward manager on Powell Ward holding a weekly surgery where patients and their family members could meet to discuss any concerns they had; a ward at the Ladywell Unit had introducing a weekly health and well-being clinic, leading to an  increase in patients referred for smoking cessation and gym membership; and staff at the Ladywell Unit receiving specialist training in cognitive behavioural therapy to enable to them to provide better support for people with emotionally unstable personality disorders.

7.7       The CQC noted variations in standards care in acute wards across SLaM. Aspects of acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units received “inadequate” ratings. 

7.8       The CQC’s biggest area of concern was bed occupancy. Bed occupancy in an acute mental health ward should be around 85%, but there were some bed occupancy rates of 100%, meaning that patients who were acutely unwell were unable to be admitted.

7.9       Following the CQC findings, SLaM has put in place an action plan. They have established a weekly monitoring plan with data tracking each of the areas rates as inadequate. This in monitored by the trust board. They have also established leadership walkabouts for the trust board and executives to spend time in wards speaking to staff to see if things are improving.

7.10    SLaM and are expecting the CQC to return in March 2019.

7.11    There was not a quality summit following the CQC inspection in September. SLaM expect to do this following the CQC’s return in March.

Resolved: the committee noted the presentation and complimented SLaM for the examples of good practice highlighted by the CQC, in particular its centralised place of safety. It also noted, however, that the failure to hold a quality summit following the inspection was a breach of protocol.