Care Quality Commission

Find out the latest ratings we have from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator for health care services in England.

It makes sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care.  The CQC encourages healthcare services to improve.

In 2018, the CQC conducted an inspection of our services and once again rated us as “Outstanding”.  We are one of only seven Mental Health and Disability Trusts in the country to be rated as such, as at 1 April 2023.

Recent Inspection Activity

Following an inspection of three adult acute admission wards at Hadrian Clinic in December last year, the CQC has published their report.  As this was a focused inspection, the service was not rated at this inspection, therefore it remains rated as good overall. It also remains rated as good for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Safe remains rated as requires improvement.

Findings from the inspection, included:

• The service was using bank and agency staff to cover increased staffing levels.
• Staff were not receiving training to help manage people’s needs and keep them safe.
• The unit was located on an old hospital site where there were several derelict buildings.

However:

• The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
• Leaders understood the issues on the unit and were putting interim measures in place to support people and staff until the wards could be relocated.
• Most staff felt respected, supported and valued, focussing on the needs of people receiving care.

CNTW Chief Executive James Duncan said at the time: “We are aware that the wards at the Campus for Ageing and Vitality are not fit-for-purpose, which is why they are part of our Care Environment Development and Reprovision (CEDAR) programme. This is a multi-million pound investment in which we are moving, building and redeveloping several of our facilities to ensure we can deliver high-quality care in modern, safe, therapeutic environments. Work on this programme is continuing at pace, and we aim to move all three wards to the redeveloped Bamburgh Clinic at St Nicholas Hospital in spring 2024.

“We are fully committed to ensuring that all necessary improvements are made, and will work closely with the CQC and other partners throughout. I am also pleased that this report also recognises the compassionate and person-centered care given by our staff on these wards, in often difficult circumstances.”

Our CQC inspection ratings

Here is a brief overview of how the Care Quality Commission rated our services during its last comprehensive inspection in 2018:

NTW overall rating: OUTSTANDING

Safe (Good) – “There was an openness and transparency in relation to safety across the Trust. Staff were able to tell us about the need for openness and transparency when mistakes were made.”

Effective (Outstanding) – “Services offered patients a comprehensive, holistic approach to their assessment, planning and delivery of care. Innovation in practice was actively encouraged. The Trust was committed to the continual development of its staff.”

Caring (Outstanding) – “Staff were motivated, inspired and enthusiastic in offering care that promoted people’s dignity. Staff demonstrated that they cared about the well-being of patients and had pride in their work. Feedback from patients and carers regarding their care and treatment was consistently positive.”

Responsive (Outstanding) – “Service users, carers and staff were consulted and involved in the design and development of new services and there was evidence of the Trust listening to and learning from patients. Services were continually reviewed and developed to respond to the needs of patients and improve care and treatment offered.”

Well Led (Outstanding) – “The Trust had a clear vision and values which were incorporated into all aspects of the Trust’s business. External stakeholders felt leadership within the Trust was proactive. Staff across the organisation said that senior managers were visible and supportive.