CQC lifts safety notice for Health-Based Places of Safety in Kent and Medway
Date added: 29 July 2026
Last updated: 29 July 2026
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has lifted the safety notice issued to Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust last year for its Health-Based Places of Safety, following improvements made across these services.
The decision follows a sustained period of focused work to strengthen safety, oversight and the quality of care provided to people in crisis. Inspectors have recognised that the trust has addressed the required improvements and that no further enforcement action is needed.
The lifting of the notice marks an important milestone in the trust’s wider programme of quality improvement, building on the progress already made across community services.
Sheila Stenson, Chief Executive for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “This is really positive news for our patients, our staff and our partners, and an important step forward in our improvement journey.
“Our teams have worked incredibly hard to respond to the concerns raised by the CQC, making meaningful changes to how we deliver care in these critical services. The lifting of this notice reflects that commitment and the difference it is already making.
“While this is a significant milestone, we know our work does not stop here. We remain focused on continuing to strengthen our services, ensuring that people who need urgent mental health support receive safe, compassionate and high-quality care.”
The improvements form part of the trust’s wider Quality Improvement Plan, which is focused on strengthening clinical practice, improving consistency, and ensuring robust oversight across services.
The trust will continue to work closely with partners and regulators to embed these improvements and deliver sustained progress for the people of Kent and Medway.
