Cheshire NHS recognised in national mental health award shortlist

The NHS in Cheshire has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award for working to improve specialist mental health services for local people.

CWP working alongside health commissioners, NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS South Cheshire CCG and NHS Vale Royal CCG are finalists for the HSJ Value Awards 2020 in the Mental Health Service Redesign Initiative category.

Sheena Cumiskey, CWP chief executive, explains: “I’m delighted our plans to improve specialist mental health services have been shortlisted for a HSJ Value Award. The new model of care now means local people can now access enhanced community mental health services and 24/7 mental health crisis care, alongside a £4.5million investment into two new state of the art inpatient mental health wards which have recently opened in Macclesfield.

“These new services are helping more people to continue their lives, with support, in the community whilst providing high quality hospital care when needed. I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make these new services a reality, including our partners, and I would particularly like to thank our staff for all of their hard work and dedication.”

HSJ Value Awards seek to recognise and reward the teams and the people who are making things better in the NHS by improving outcomes for patients with the judging panel comprised of a diverse range of highly regarded figures across the NHS and wider healthcare sector.

Clare Watson, accountable officer for NHS Cheshire CCGs, added: “It’s really positive to be recognised for the collaborative work that partners have undertaken to design and develop adult and older people’s mental health services in Cheshire. I'd like to thank all the staff, service users, carers and the wider public who took part in the consultation and listening events.

“We know that it is essential to do all we can to provide patients with timely access to high-quality services where they need them. The new services in the community and the two new mental health facilities in Macclesfield will ensure that service users get the best possible care to help them thrive and not just survive.”

The new specialist mental health model of care was approved last year following a public consultation where service users, carers and the wider public were asked about their views on how to improve the care for the 7000 local people severely affected by mental health problems. Feedback from the consultation resulted in a revised preferred option (Option 2 Plus) being taken forward to implementation.

HSJ editor, Alastair McLellan, comments: “We would like to congratulate everyone who has worked to improve specialist mental health services in Cheshire and am pleased to see them nominated in the category of Mental Health Service Redesign Initiative ahead of HSJ Value Awards 2020. This year’s finalists are of an outstanding calibre and all of them are exceptionally dedicated to enhancing healthcare across the UK.”

The winners will be selected following a rigorous, “live panel” judging stage ahead of the HSJ Value Awards 2020 awards ceremony in Manchester in May.