Statement on the publication of the independent investigation into the care and treatment of a mental health service user in Huntingdonshire
As a Trust committed to learning, we welcome the publication of the independent investigation report (please click here to read NHS Englands statement and the report). The recommendations for NHFT in the report focus on the implementation of policies and ensuring there are standards in place for information sharing with partners. In the time since the service user highlighted in this report left our care in 2013, we have reviewed our clinical policies and put systems in place to ensure they are easily accessible to all. We are currently undertaking audits in the areas highlighted to provide assurance that expected standards are being maintained and polices are being implemented consistently. As part of the transformation of our services we have introduced a new electronic records system which provides improved information sharing with primary care.
As a Trust we are committed to providing safe effective care, this was recognised in our 2018 CQC rating of Outstanding. We were pleased that NHS England have highlighted that the investigation found that the care provided by NHFT was well managed and consistent.
Action plan
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Recommendation |
Current status |
Next steps for assurance purposes |
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1. |
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust must provide assurance that the policies on handovers, transfers of care and discharges are implemented and standards maintained.
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All relevant policies have been reviewed and implemented |
Operations Manager to audit 6 months of discharges and transfers of care to provide continued assurance that they meet Trust standards. |
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2. |
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Health Records Policy must be adjusted to include the use of consultant outpatients letters as equivalent to a clinical record entry.
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Consultant outpatient letters are being routinely attached to individuals clinical records |
While letters are being routinely attached to clinical records, an amendment is being made to the Health Records Policy to reflect that the usage of Consultant letters is the equivalent to a clinical record entry. |
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3. |
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust must provide assurance that the ‘working with risk’ policy is implemented consistently in NSTEP, and that there are standards in place for the communication of risk information to primary care, which are monitored.
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This policy has been implemented in NSTEP. There is also a shared electronic record in the electronic clinical record (SystmOne) with GPs.
All communication is shared electronically on this system or via EMIS which has a similar entry. |
Operational Manager for NSTEP to complete a record keeping audit to provide continued assurance that Working With Risk 1 is being effectively maintained.
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