Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Chair requesting that the Panel consider the attached appendices on Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust’s CQC inspection report and response, and the progress update on the Stage 2 Independent Investigation report and discuss the issues with the invited representatives from Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Ron Shields – Chief Executive, Southern Health was in attendance and, with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Panel discussed a number of points including:

·  The recent CQC inspection on the Sothern Health Trust and its findings.  It was noted that the Trust had been assessed and compared with other providers of mental health care.  It was explained that the Trust had accepted that there was work to do to improve services but were disappointed to have received a rating of requires improvement.

·  How the majority of the actions suggested by the CQC had been addressed and that it was expected that the full list would be completed by the end of July.

·  Specific issues relating to the staffing of Antelope House and the Beaulieu Ward on the Western Site.

·  The Stage 2 Independent Investigation report: “Right first time” status.  It was noted that the Trust had been working hard on how it communicated issues with both patients and their families and how they were working on getting an early resolution to queries and complaints. 

·  The pressures on the Trust in relation to staffing levels and how the high level of vacancies affected all aspects of how the trust operated.  The Panel were briefed on some of the measures being undertaken to combat the high level of vacancies within the Trust.

RESOLVED that Panel requested that any progress made by the Trust with regards to recruitment and retention is reviewed by the Panel at a future meeting.