THE BODY which provides mental health services in Dorset is celebrating after being rated as one of the top four NHS trusts in the UK.

The latest Community Mental Health Survey carried out by the Care Quality Commission found that Dorset HealthCare Trust’s services were performing ‘better than expected.’

Out of the 56 NHS mental health services surveyed, Dorset HealthCare’s community mental health teams scored better than most in four of the eleven categories.

The survey consisted of 38 questions clustered into 11 domains, asking people for their views on the care they received, such as whether they were treated with dignity and respect, and if they were involved in planning their treatment.

Trusts are then categorised into one of five bands: much worse than expected, worse than expected, about the same, better than expected or much better than expected.

Within the 11 sections, Dorset HealthCare scored ‘better than most other trusts’ in four domains, and about the same in the rest.

The areas it scored highest in were planning care, medicines, overall views of care and services, and overall patient experience.

Colin Hicks, Service Director for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, said: “Last year we were rated as being about the same as other Trusts, but this time round we have scored better than most, and there is no better feedback than that of those who use our services."