FOLLOWING 'improvements and progress', Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been rated outstanding following a recent inspection.

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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) praised the trust for the 'good work' and 'commitment' it provides.

A team of inspectors visited the trust during November and December last year to check the quality of six core services: end of life care, acute and psychiatric intensive care adult mental health wards, child and adolescent mental health wards, specialist community mental health services for children and young people, community inpatient and community health services for adults.

Karen Bennett-Wilson, CQC’s head of Hospital Inspection for the south (and lead for mental health), said: "I am delighted to report that the trust has continued to progress its good work and made the improvements that we said it should, following our 2018 inspection and has now been rated outstanding overall.

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"The trust's determination to develop a culture of continuous improvement has improved services for patients across the board.

"Our inspectors found there was a real commitment to learning and driving improvements.

"The positive culture of the trust meant staff felt passionate about delivering good quality care.

"Staff and patients benefited from a stable and experienced leadership team who were visible and innovative.

"Staff spoke positively about the patient care and the striving for continual improvement.

"The hard work makes a real difference to the lives of people using the services.

"Everyone at the trust should be proud of this great achievement."

Inspectors found there was a positive culture throughout the trust, one of inclusivity and compassion.

The report also states that patients were encouraged by staff to express their views and wishes, and were active partners their care.

Patients had also been involved in quality improvement work on the acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units, which has led to a reduction in staff assaults and patient restraint.

The report notes that end of life care services had a dedicated team where staff went 'beyond their duties' to maintain effective working relationships between different teams, for example, if a patient moved to a local hospice.

This provided continuity of care and support to patients at the end of their lives and for their families.