7 April 2022 - Mental Health Network webinar – governance during the COVID-19 pandemic

Overheard during this week’s webinar:

“We had a recent inspection experience that was utterly punishing and counterproductive, resulting in immense pressure. Those who work closely with our trust will recognize building blocks that have been put in place for improvement, but to the public the report will look like we have gone backwards. The report will undermine public trust and shake the confidence of external partners at a time when opportunities to work with the ICS need to be seized.”

“In our recent well-led inspection experience, in which quality improvement and culture were scrutinized, the CQC took a ‘failed improvement’ approach and did not show any leeway regarding Covid or staffing. I’m also anxious about the tone of discussion in mental health, having never had so much money thrown at us and the real risk of losing credibility if the tone is not right, including with regard to CYP and autism. We need to change the narrative around how the issues around mental health are delivered, including reminders of delivery and improvement and return on investment success stories, for example school interventions.”

“The Nolan Principles are being questioned – look at the CQC’s approach, the tone of disclosures and the wording used nationally and locally about NHS-focused, finance-led ICSs. Questions should be asked about whether the Nolan Principles are important and, if so, are MPs and local government going to follow them?”

“Unreal branding on the NHS gives fear to the population. The integrity by which senior appointments are being made is without the Nolan principles. There is a disconnect with one rule for us and another rule for others. There’s a feeling of helplessness ... The level of harm to patient satisfaction and patient outcome is measurable.”

“The CQC does not see itself as a service improvement organisation… The CQC is not going to get better in the current climate. In terms of a response, more escalation is needed. Our ICB has introduced the concept of the patient story. We have pushed hard on some of the most difficult cases that involve system failure and I think this has helped colleagues in other agencies to stop questioning why ‘mental health got this wrong’. There is an understanding that patient needs can be incredibly complex.”

“As ICBs start to think about the sort of reports they will receive, in particular those on risk, the current reporting and risk measurements received are no longer going to be fit for purpose. Have we all started to think about the reports we get at our boards and how we will need to change by the end of the year, when ICSs are starting to pull some of the levers?”

These meetings are by invitation only. For further details, visit our events page.

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