The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has recently commended Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT) for their excellent work. Beyond these operational strengths, the report spotlights EPUT’s commitment and will to improve mental health services. Paul Scott, the chief executive of EPUT, expressed his satisfaction with the CQC’s findings, which acknowledged the trust’s hard work in fostering a positive environment for patient safety.
The CQC inspection report praised the creation of a “positive culture of safety” within EPUT. This accolade is all the more remarkable considering the trust works out of an old-fashioned, four-storey, cream-brick treatment building in Essex. This week, the facility is under the national spotlight. This comes as the extraordinary scale of tragic loss of life has emerged, as at least 2,000 people are reported to have died under Essex NHS care.
The current Lampard Inquiry counts these deaths. Its charge is to research, recommend and raise the standards for patient safety and quality care. Our process of gathering evidence for this inquiry resumes Monday. This highlights the importance of oversight and scrutiny of practice within EPUT and other organisations that have recently gone through similar transitions.
Paul Scott said he was “delighted” with the CQC’s judgement, adding that recognition is vital to ensuring a great team’s commitment. He added that this acknowledgement affirms their continued work to ultimately raise the quality of care given to all patients.
“This is unsubstantiated,” – CQC inspectors
Even with these commendations, the context of this inquiry frames a discussion about systemic issues in NHS care. The contrast between such public commendation and the context of eight proprietary investigations, some with runaway costs, underscores an uncertain era for EPUT. While the organization is proud of what it has accomplished thus far, it recognizes that ongoing improvement is essential. It puts accountability at the heart of patient safety.
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