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CQC finds leadership and care concerns at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Overview
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has told Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust that its leadership must improve after an inspection revealed patients were not always protected from poor care risks. Inspectors highlighted issues including inadequate support for families after serious incidents, discharge delays due to housing shortages, staff fears regarding raising concerns, and workplace discrimination disparities. The trust acknowledged the seriousness of the findings and stated it has strengthened its leadership and published a quality improvement plan.
Key points
- The CQC found Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust failed to properly protect patients from the risks of poor care.
- Inspectors noted families and carers were not consistently involved or supported in a meaningful way after serious incidents.
- System pressures meant most people ready for discharge lacked appropriate accommodation.
- Some staff expressed fear of reprisals for raising issues anonymously, and lacked confidence that managers would act on concerns.
- Inspectors identified disparities in recruitment, disciplinary processes, and discrimination affecting staff from ethnic minority groups and those with disabilities.
- The trust's chief executive, Sheila Stenson, apologized and stated that leadership arrangements have been strengthened alongside a new quality improvement plan.