NORTH West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as good by the Care Quality Commission for the third consecutive time.

The CQC carried out unannounced targeted inspections of five of their core services during October and November 2019.

CQC inspections aim to make sure healthcare organisations provide care which is safe, caring, effective and responsive to people's needs and that the organisation is well-led.

The regulator has rated community and mental health services provided for people living in Warrington, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wigan as good across all five domains.

This includes an uplift from requires improvement for responsive.

Positives highlighted included having enough nursing staff, who know patients and receive training to keep them safe, effective leadership across the organisation and having a clear five-year plan to provide high-quality care and financial stability.

Inspectors noted how the wards are safe, clean and fit for purpose and that staff support patients to make decisions on their care themselves.

All services treat patients with compassion and kindness and staff involve patients in care planning and actively seek their feedback on the quality of care.

Improvements have been recognised in a number of areas, particularly the older people’s wards.

Wards for people with a learning disability or autism remain as requires improvement overall and the mental health crisis services and health-based places of safety have also been rated as requires improvement overall.

Helen Bellairs, chairman of North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is a fantastic achievement to have maintained our ‘Good’ rating for the third consecutive inspection.

“I’m particularly proud, but not surprised, to receive positive feedback about our kind and compassionate staff. Our staff are the heart of our organisation, putting our patients’ wellbeing first at all times.

"I’m pleased to see the dedication and hard work I see every day receive the praise and recognition it deserves.

“While we remain good for all domains, there are some areas for improvement which we are now focusing on.

“It’s important to remember the CQC process is about identifying where continued improvements can be made and working together to make them happen.

"We have a strong track record in taking action to improve services, as demonstrated by the recognition of improvements made on our older people’s wards which were rated inadequate after the last inspection in 2018 and are now good for all domains.

“We have already begun addressing the requirements outlined by the CQC to make sure we provide quality, safe and effective patient care to support our communities to live life well.”