Improving mental health care across Kent and Medway

Kent and Medway's largest mental health provider has today published a major improvement plan, setting out changes that will make the biggest difference to patient care, safety and experience.

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust's new Quality Improvement Plan builds on more than 200 improvements made over the past year and provides a clear focus for the next stage of its improvement journey.

It has been shaped by feedback from patients, carers, staff, regulators and independent reviews, and reflects what people have said is working well, as well as where improvements are needed.

The plan focuses on four priorities:

• Safety and Risk
• Access and Waiting Times
• Environment, Experience and Equity
• Leadership, Culture and Governance

It will help teams identify problems sooner, learn from feedback and make improvements that last. Progress will be measured by the difference made to patients' care, experience and outcomes, rather than simply the number of actions completed.

While there are many examples of excellent care every day, the trust recognises that people's experiences are not always as consistent as they should be and that there is more work to do.

There are already encouraging signs of progress. Over the past year, the number of people with up-to-date risk formulations has increased by almost a third and medical emergencies linked to self-harm have halved. More than three-quarters of people attending clozapine and depot clinics are now routinely receiving important physical health checks to make sure we spot potential health problems early and help people stay as well as possible.

Quality audits have also found improvements in the quality of patients’ risk assessments, safety plans and care plans, including stronger patient and carer involvement in decisions about care and support.  

Acting Chief Nurse Julie Kirby said: "We support people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. That's why our goal is simple: to ensure more people receive the safe, compassionate and high-quality care we'd want for our own loved ones.

"This plan builds on the progress we've already made and gives us a clear focus for the improvements that matter most. We're already seeing positive signs this work is making a difference, but we're also honest that there is more to do. We'll continue to listen to patients, carers, staff and partners, learn from feedback and be open about both the progress we're making and the challenges that remain."

Learn more, read the Quality Improvement Plan.

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