Leadership criticised at mental health service

Inspectors visited mental health services in Coventry

Improvements are needed at a mental health service in Coventry, inspectors have said, with a lack of leadership criticised.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors visited the Caludon Centre in Coventry, which is run by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, and said it required improvement.

Ceri Morris-Williams, CQC deputy director of operations in the Midlands, said inspectors found "some leaders didn't have the skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out their roles and responsibilities", adding this caused most of the issues found.

A spokesman for the NHS trust said it accepted the findings and that further improvements were needed.

Inspectors visited the centre's acute mental health wards for adults and psychiatric intensive care units in April and May.

An earlier inspection had found breaches of regulations, which had been addressed, but inspectors found new issues relating to safe care and good management.

Ms Morris-Williams said they included how leaders managed risks and oversaw the environment, medicines management, and infection prevention and control.

She also said staff did not always record how people were involved in managing risks they faced in their care plans, and in some cases did not assess the risks people faced at all.

"Inspectors also found the trust weren't always delivering care in a safe environment," she said.

"We identified concerns with infection prevention and control processes and safety checks."

However, people at the centre told inspectors that staff treated them with kindness and compassion.

They provided a wide range of activities they could take part in, including sports, cookery, arts and crafts, walking groups and watching films, Ms Morris-Williams added.

She said staff supported people in keeping in touch with family and friends.

The NHS trust spokesman said: "We're pleased that the CQC recognised the kindness and compassion of our staff and rated our services as good for being caring, effective and responsive."

He said the trust had strengthened leadership, improved safety oversight and continued to invest in environments.