An independent external quality assurance review (published November 2019) can be viewed here.

TEWV must develop an agreed set of local policies and procedures to be regularly reviewed by key strategic partners in line with the November 2016 NICE3 guidance on coexisting severe mental illness and substance misuse: community health and social care … Read more TEWV must develop an agreed set of local policies and procedures to be regularly reviewed by key strategic partners in line with the November 2016 NICE3 guidance on coexisting severe mental illness and substance misuse: community health and social care services. Show less

The Trust should assure itself that the findings and observations of patients when admitted to MHSOP wards leads to accurate care planning and appropriate interventions.

TEWV must review the EIPT operational policy to set out agreed methods and expectations around multidisciplinary working, to ensure that senior medical staff are involved appropriately in discussions about patients where staff have concerns, and at least annually, where patients … Read more TEWV must review the EIPT operational policy to set out agreed methods and expectations around multidisciplinary working, to ensure that senior medical staff are involved appropriately in discussions about patients where staff have concerns, and at least annually, where patients are receiving antipsychotic medication. Show less

The Trust should review management of aggression guidance and the clinical link pathway for Behaviours that Challenge in Mental Health Services for Older People wards to ensure that explicit guidance in how to manage an incident is an outcome of … Read more The Trust should review management of aggression guidance and the clinical link pathway for Behaviours that Challenge in Mental Health Services for Older People wards to ensure that explicit guidance in how to manage an incident is an outcome of the assessment process and is included in intervention plans. Show less

TEWV must review the TEWV EIPT job plans to ensure consistent medical input to the team.

The Trust should ensure that MHSOP wards fully comply with the policy on recording observations.

TEWV must develop a schedule of audit for crisis plans and take action as required so that they meet the CPA policy standard.

The Trust should ensure that all relevant policies and procedures are updated whenever new guidance from NICE is issued.

TEWV must review the TEWV CPA policy to ensure that overdue depot medication is communicated effectively in referral procedures and correspondence, e.g. by ‘phone.

The Trust should develop a programme of increased awareness of the need to accurately report incidents with the MHSOP wards and assure itself that incidents are being accurately reported.

TEWV must take action Trust-wide to ensure that any referral made to an external or internal service indicates clearly the level of urgency.

The Trust should assure itself that MHSOP wards are now following its own best practice guidance with regards to Behaviours that Challenge in dementia.

The Trust should assure itself that assessments of risks in elderly patients are completed thoroughly and accurately, incorporating all aspects of relevant medical history, and which then lead to appropriate interventions to mitigate these risks.

NHS Durham Dales Easington & Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group and the Trust should work together to ensure that they fully implement the NICE Clinical guideline [CG146], Osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture correctly identifying all patients at risk of … Read more NHS Durham Dales Easington & Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group and the Trust should work together to ensure that they fully implement the NICE Clinical guideline [CG146], Osteoporosis: assessing the risk of fragility fracture correctly identifying all patients at risk of fragile fracture on respective caseloads. Show less

NHS Durham Dales, Sedgefield and Easington CCG, NHS North Durham CCG, Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and North East Ambulance Service should regularly and collectively review all deaths of patients … Read more NHS Durham Dales, Sedgefield and Easington CCG, NHS North Durham CCG, Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and North East Ambulance Service should regularly and collectively review all deaths of patients transferred from MHSOP wards to A&E with suspected fragility fractures to fully identify opportunities for system improvements to reduce premature deaths. Show less