The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) has officially exited its "special measures" status, a significant milestone after more than seven years of scrutiny and improvement efforts. Initially placed under special measures in 2015 due to poor performance, the trust has made considerable progress to shed its inadequate rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The NSFT was once deemed the worst-performing mental health trust in the United Kingdom, prompting a series of interventions aimed at elevating its standards.
In 2017, the trust returned to special measures as it continued to struggle with performance issues. During this time, it was rated "inadequate requires improvement" by the CQC. In response, the NSFT embarked on a rigorous improvement plan, completing 100% of the CQC's "must do" actions. This commitment to reform and better service delivery has enabled the trust to exit the Recovery Support Programme, which assists failing providers in regaining operational control.
Zoe Billingham, Chair of NSFT, expressed confidence in the trust's current trajectory.
"We have now achieved stability; we have a clear plan; the means for delivery; and the belief that we can change NSFT once and for all, for the better." – Zoe Billingham, Chair of NSFT
The trust's journey towards recovery included a comprehensive review of 12,503 deaths between April 2019 and April 2023. Notably, over 420 deaths were classified as unexplained unnatural, predominantly affecting males aged 40-50. Despite this alarming statistic, there are no national mortality figures available for comparison.
Caroline Donovan, Chief Executive at the trust, expressed optimism about the future.
"There truly is so much that has been achieved by everyone last year and so much to feel optimistic about in 2025." – Caroline Donovan, Chief Executive at the trust
The trust's headquarters in Hellesdon, Norwich, served as a focal point for implementing these changes. As the first of its type to receive extra support in 2015 when placed in "special measures," NSFT's removal from this status marks a hopeful turning point.
However, not all stakeholders share this viewpoint. Clare Panniker, regional director for NHS England, described the development as "positive news." Yet, Mark Harrison, Chair of the NSFT Crisis Campaign, criticized the decision.
"The campaign has no confidence in NHS England as they have presided over 12 years of failing mental health services." – Mark Harrison, Chair of the NSFT Crisis Campaign
"We don't understand how NSFT can be released from the Recovery Support Programme ahead of an independent inspection from the CQC." – Mark Harrison, Chair of the NSFT Crisis Campaign
The campaign maintains that NSFT's struggles are not unique among mental health trusts nationwide.
"The campaign believes that NSFT are not an outlier across mental health trusts throughout the country." – NSFT
Alice Macdonald and Jack Abbott, Labour MPs for Norwich North and Ipswich, acknowledged the progress while emphasizing the need for further advancements.
"For the best part of a decade, the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has failed thousands of people, with terrible consequences." – Alice Macdonald and Jack Abbott, Labour MPs for Norwich North and Ipswich
"This news that NSFT has left special measures marks some welcome progress, but the challenge for NSFT is now to ensure this is a first step towards sustained, long-term improvement." – Alice Macdonald and Jack Abbott, Labour MPs for Norwich North and Ipswich
Leave a Reply