A recent surprise inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has highlighted significant issues in secure mental health wards operated by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. The watchdog found that patient care was suffering due to staff shortages and an over-reliance on agency personnel, who were not familiar with individual patient needs.
The inspection, prompted by concerns from patients and their families, revealed that shortages were limiting patients’ access to public spaces and sometimes leading to a lack of respect from staff. The CQC noted that “little had been done” to address these issues since a previous inspection in July 2023.
Since the inspection, the trust has reduced its use of agency staff by 53%. Despite this, the trust’s overall rating for its forensic inpatient and secure wards remains “requires improvement.”
The CQC reported that staff were often hesitant to report incidents or speak up due to fears about job security, though they noted that the trust had appropriate policies and procedures in place for handling incidents. Inspectors found that while the quality of some agency staff was poor, leading to added pressure on permanent staff, the service had the necessary protocols for openness and honesty when things went wrong.
In response, the trust has launched an extensive training program for staff and invited external organizations to conduct independent reviews. A trust spokesperson stated: “We recognize the impact that high agency staff usage can have and addressing this has been a priority, leading to a significant reduction. We are confident that these measures are improving the overall standards of care for our patients.”