This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-31532241

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Norfolk and Suffolk health trust in special measures Norfolk and Suffolk health trust in special measures
(about 5 hours later)
A mental health trust has become the first in England to be put in special measures.A mental health trust has become the first in England to be put in special measures.
NHS regulator Monitor will send a team to take over the management of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. NHS regulator Monitor will help support the management at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to deliver an action plan.
The decision comes after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) reported the trust was "not a safe, effective or responsive service". The decision comes after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) reported the trust was "not a safe... service".
Special measures means a director will be attached to the trust to ensure the improvement plan is carried out.Special measures means a director will be attached to the trust to ensure the improvement plan is carried out.
External experts will work with the existing senior management team at the trust to resolve its problems.External experts will work with the existing senior management team at the trust to resolve its problems.
Trust chief executive Michael Scott said special measures would be the first step "on the road to recovery".Trust chief executive Michael Scott said special measures would be the first step "on the road to recovery".
"Although disappointing, it is not a surprise to us, coming as it does after the CQC's recommendations were made in January."Although disappointing, it is not a surprise to us, coming as it does after the CQC's recommendations were made in January.
"We recognise the need to improve the care we provide and we need to carefully manage our finances to a healthier position."We recognise the need to improve the care we provide and we need to carefully manage our finances to a healthier position.
"We welcome the the additional support we'll get through this process.""We welcome the the additional support we'll get through this process."
An inspection by the CQC identified a number of serious issues, including concerns about the safety of services, staffing levels and leadership at the trust.An inspection by the CQC identified a number of serious issues, including concerns about the safety of services, staffing levels and leadership at the trust.
Monitor has also imposed a new condition on Norfolk and Suffolk's licence, enabling the regulator to take further action, such as replacing members of the trust's leadership team if the required improvements are not made swiftly for patients.Monitor has also imposed a new condition on Norfolk and Suffolk's licence, enabling the regulator to take further action, such as replacing members of the trust's leadership team if the required improvements are not made swiftly for patients.
'Financial black hole''Financial black hole'
Katherine Cawley, regional director at Monitor, said: "Patients in Norfolk and Suffolk deserve to receive the highest possible care, and so the failings that the CQC has identified in the trust's services are disappointing.Katherine Cawley, regional director at Monitor, said: "Patients in Norfolk and Suffolk deserve to receive the highest possible care, and so the failings that the CQC has identified in the trust's services are disappointing.
"We are pleased that the trust has already started to address some of the issues raised by the CQC, but much more needs to be done.""We are pleased that the trust has already started to address some of the issues raised by the CQC, but much more needs to be done."
A spokesman for the Campaign to Save Mental Health in Norfolk and Suffolk said the decision was "inevitable following the damning CQC inspection and the financial black hole".A spokesman for the Campaign to Save Mental Health in Norfolk and Suffolk said the decision was "inevitable following the damning CQC inspection and the financial black hole".
"We share with Monitor a common aim: the quickest possible turnaround of NSFT for the benefit of patients," he added."We share with Monitor a common aim: the quickest possible turnaround of NSFT for the benefit of patients," he added.
The CQC report, published at the beginning of the month, said there were also concerns about a lack of beds and that "urgent action" was needed.The CQC report, published at the beginning of the month, said there were also concerns about a lack of beds and that "urgent action" was needed.
But it also said: "Staff were kind, caring and responsive to people and were skilled in the delivery of care."But it also said: "Staff were kind, caring and responsive to people and were skilled in the delivery of care."