Boost for CWP Community Mental Health Services

With the impact of the pandemic impact still being felt and a cost-of-living crisis, the NHS Confederation has stated that people with existing mental health problems are being hit the hardest.

Against this backdrop, CWP has been recognised as an overall top performer following the publication of results from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), following a survey of mental health community services.

In particular, the Trust came second nationally for results in ‘crisis care’ and ‘reviewing care’ categories, which look at access to appropriate help and support in a crisis and regular opportunities to review care and treatment plans. The Trust also scored third nationally for “overall views of care and services”.

CWP chief executive, Tim Welch, says:

These results are particularly pleasing because they are based on what people who access CWP services think about their care. I’d like to thank the amazing efforts of our teams who have worked throughout the challenges presented over the last couple of years by the pandemic, to ensure people receive the best possible care and experience.

The CWP 24/7 urgent mental health crisis line was launched in 2020 and to date has received over 140,00 calls. It is really pleasing to know that this service is working well for people and can be seen in the survey results. We are continually seeking ways to improve our services and we will take all the feedback on board to provide an even better quality of service going forward.

Community mental health services are going through an exciting transformation with the development of the Community Wellbeing Alliance. This is a new partnership which is looking at how we work more closely with organisations in the voluntary, housing, employment and social care sectors to provide a more holistic community mental health offer which is reflective of people’s needs.

We all know that when we experience pressures in other areas of our lives, whether that be in relationships, employment, financial or physical health concerns that these impact our mental health and vice-versa. As an NHS organisation, it is important that we recognise this and empower people in their recovery.

The eight areas where CWP appeared in the national ‘top five’ performers:

1. Health and social care workersconsideration by staff for how mental health needs impact different areas of peoples’ lives.

2. Organising care - knowing who is leading on organising care and support.

3. Planning care - effective joint planning of care decisions.

4. Reviewing care - facilitating regular reviews to discuss how care/treatment is working.

5. Crisis care - getting quick access to help in a crisis and receiving the right level of quality care and support.

6. Support and wellbeing - providing support with physical health (i.e. an injury, disability or chronic condition such as diabetes).

7. Overall views of care and services - access to care and being treated with dignity and respect.

8. Overall experience - when thinking about all community mental health experiences.

*53 Trusts took part in the survey