Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust recognised for its commitment to carers

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has retained its 2-star Triangle of Care accreditation, demonstrating continued progress in improving the experience of families, friends and carers who support people using mental health services.

The Triangle of Care is a quality improvement programme run by the Carers Trust. It brings together families, friends and carers, people who use services and professionals to promote safety, recovery and wellbeing. The programme is based on 6 standards, including identifying carers early, ensuring staff are carer-aware, providing clear information and ensuring appropriate support is available.

The accreditation is awarded following an assessment of evidence gathered over the previous 12 months, demonstrating how organisations are working to identify, involve and support families, friends and carers. Retaining the trust's 2-star status recognises the work that has taken place across services over the last year and the commitment of colleagues to embedding family, friends and carer involvement in everyday practice.

The assessment highlights both areas of good practice and opportunities for further development, helping to guide the trust's ongoing work to enhance the experience of families, friends and carers.

Rachael Sanderson, Director of Allied Health Professions and Patient Experience at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: "We know that families, friends and carers play a vital role in supporting the people who use our services. Retaining our 2-star Triangle of Care accreditation is a fantastic achievement and reflects the commitment of colleagues across the trust to listening to, involving and supporting families, friends and carers.

“We are grateful to Carers Trust for recognising the positive work that has taken place across the organisation over the last year. While we are proud of this achievement, we know that improving the experience of families, friends and carers is an ongoing journey. We remain committed to learning from feedback and continuing to strengthen the way we work in partnership with families, friends and carers.

“Over the coming year, we will continue to listen and learn from feedback provided through Carers Trust, experience measures, engagement and co-creation activities, and the compliments and complaints that we receive. This will help us shape our priorities and continue improving the way we work in partnership with families, friends and carers.”

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust also encourages families, friends and carers to continue to share their experiences through Your Experience Matters survey, which was launched earlier this year and helps the trust continue to develop and improve the support it provides.

Mary Patel, Triangle of Care Programme Lead at Carers Trust, said: “Congratulations to Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust on achieving a Triangle of Care Star renewal, which demonstrates a structured approach to involving carers. The assessment also highlights valuable opportunities for further improvement, and we are pleased to support the trust’s ongoing development.”