Inner West London

Noted (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the concerns about systems for safely receiving overseas patients seeking medical treatment in the UK. The response outlines existing regulatory oversight by the CQC and notes the importance of accurate medical information, but does not commit to specific action. NHS England states that the concerns raised in the report do not fall within their remit, as the receiving hospital was private, but they have made North West London Integrated Care Board aware of the concerns. They also highlight existing national guidance on the repatriation of ill patients from overseas. The FCDO believes a response sits outside of their remit, and is more appropriate for the Department of Health and Social Care.

Noted (AI summary) The Trust has reviewed and updated fire evacuation and AWOL policies, adding a flowchart to the pan-London policy, publishing the revised policy, issuing it to clinical service lines, undertaking AWOL drills, and creating a short scenario video. The learning will be shared via an internal learning bulletin. The ICB and Trust are jointly addressing bed pressures through intensive support to acute ward teams, transformation of crisis services including mental health triage, and review of rehabilitation and supported living settings. The ICB is also commissioning additional beds in the private sector. The DHSC acknowledges the concerns about mental health bed capacity and outlines the government's commitment to improving mental health services and suicide prevention. It states that the local NHS bodies will respond to the concerns about local mental health bed capacity directly.

Noted (AI summary) NHS England acknowledges concerns about secondary healthcare in prisons, particularly staffing shortages, but focuses its response on NHS England's remit. They have engaged regional colleagues and will consider responses from other Trusts, while also highlighting national work on PFD reports. Berkshire Healthcare has continued developing the One Team model, implemented monthly audits of Community Mental Health Team caseloads, and conducted various training programs (suicide awareness, trauma-informed care). They have also improved VCSE engagement and reinforced MAPPA escalation processes. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust will consider introducing guidance for psychological therapy staff about recording when an individual declines treatment in prison, to include guidance that declined offers of treatment are always considered in caseload management supervision. Thames Valley Police details actions taken by both the force and Counter Terrorism Policing South-East, including improvements to intelligence dissemination, Prevent training, MAPPA procedures, and Operation Plato. A multi-agency exercise was conducted to test the effectiveness of the Operation Plato plan. Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has refreshed the psychology pathway and updated referral criteria, and is standardising practice in regard to psychological care pathways. They have also developed a pilot of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner role and provide ongoing training for staff. The Ministry of Justice outlines changes to probation and prison procedures, including enhanced risk assessment tools, improved information sharing through MAPPA, and updated training for staff. These changes aim to better manage individuals who pose a terrorism risk. The Home Office describes ongoing improvements to the Prevent programme including reviews, case assurance, and annual statistics. They are implementing improved information sharing practices and conducting assurance reviews of training and processes related to discontinuing impending prosecutions.

Noted (AI summary) NHS England expresses condolences and outlines its commitment to improving community mental health services nationally, but states that responding to the specific concerns raised by the coroner is the remit of the named NHS Trust. They confirm the concerns have been shared with their national Mental Health Team and Regulation 28 Working Group. The Trust outlines actions taken and planned, including issuing additional guidance on managing suicide risk, sharing learning with the team, updating policies, and reminding staff of the need for communication amongst professionals involved in treatment.