11 March 2021 – Mental Health Network – governance during the COVID-19 pandemic webinar

This week’s webinar featured a discussion ranging from international mental health groups that can help with learning and innovation, to the CQC, analysis of board member personalities and mental health representation on ICS boards.

Overheard during this Thursday’s webinar:

“Our trust was very challenged by the CQC, receiving section 29 (warning) and 31 (closure of services) letters from the regulator. However, a positive is that the trust is launching a significant engagement process, which will engage with a much wider group of patients, staff, carers and wider stakeholders.”

“We had a meeting with the CQC and their priorities were: speed of learning from serious incidents, how long waiting lists are being managed, especially CYP, and EDI for staff and patients.”

[On the subject of mental health boards not being mandated on ICS boards]: “This is not parity of esteem; it is unforgivable and overlooks the benefits that mental health can bring to providers.”

“NHS Providers said there was concern from ALBs around who the best representative on the board from mental health would be, however there are similar issues with the acute sector as some ICSs have multiple acute providers and this was not seen as an issue.”

“The VCSE [voluntary, community and social enterprise] sector is also concerned as they are in the mental health supply chain and are worried about how they would be represented on the board if mental health providers are not included.”

These meetings are by invitation only. For further details, visit our website https://www.good-governance.org.uk/events/

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about these webinars, please contact: events@good-governance.org.uk