Sussex Partnership NHS Trust

Action Planned (AI summary) The Trust will migrate to a new Electronic Patient Record system (SystmOne) in November 2025, which will integrate with GP surgery systems and facilitate two-way sharing of information. They are also working to establish electronic prescribing, prioritising community electronic prescribing to coincide with the SystmOne adoption. NHS Sussex is in the process of rolling out the shared care record to primary care in this financial year (2025/2026), and in the coming years the information NHS providers will be able to access about a patient will be replaced by the national Shared Care Record which NHS England is currently developing.

Action Planned (AI summary) NHS England highlights national work on moving away from risk stratification and supporting personalised safety planning, and that NHS Sussex ICB is seeking updates from the Trust on actions including raising staff awareness of care plan and therapeutic observation importance, care plan audits, and developing a training package on the needs/risks associated with care experienced individuals. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provided the coroner with a copy of the Ligature Anchor Point Risk Reduction Policy and a Patient Safety Briefing, launched refreshed ligature risk, assessment and awareness training in July 2024 (becoming mandatory in April 2025), completed installation of new anti-ligature alarmed bedroom doors on Rowan Ward, and commenced work on Maple Ward.

Action Planned (AI summary) From 7th October 2024, staff on DCU will become part of Neighbourhood Policing Teams and therefore mandatory training will become aligned. Sussex Police has offered 1:1 training to PC, and the planned roll out of "Mental Health and the Police" will ensure mandated mental health training is provided to all officers and staff that may be required to attend incidents where mental health could be a factor. Sussex Police is introducing Mental Health First Aider training to all new recruits from January 2025. SPFT partners are developing a Standard Operating Protocol for the RRS to provide guidance to officers who contact them for advice & assistance. A trust wide Standard Operational Procedure for the RRS is being developed which will provide guidance to staff working within the RRS. Immediately following the inquest, the Trust contacted Sussex Police to open the door to discussions about how we may approach cross training and these discussions are ongoing.

Action Planned (AI summary) Sussex Police is co-developing a Missing Persons Template with SPFT to improve information sharing and is reviewing existing training for Sergeants on missing person investigations, with potential enhancements. The force also plans to review the structure of the Missing Persons Team to enhance support to colleagues. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, working with Sussex Police, established a working group to improve the joint response to patients absent without leave, proposing solutions including a Missing Persons Template and updated risk assessment processes. An improved escalation process has been implemented and added to the AWOL Policy and the AWOL reduction project is being rolled out across the Trust.

Action Planned (AI summary) Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will discuss changes made by East Sussex County Council with their Deputy Chief Nurse to ensure the Trust's doctors working as independent s.12 doctors are informed of ESCC's changes in practice and to identify any difficulties with information access processes. East Sussex County Council updated their Mental Health Act referral and Risk Assessment Forms to include a section on dynamic risk assessment, arranged yearly risk management training with Brighton University for AMHPs, and updated the AMHP warranting and re-warranting process.

Action Planned (AI summary) The Trust and BHCC are developing a joint policy and guidance to improve communication and define responsibility between the organisations to improve the safety of voluntary patients waiting for acute mental health beds. Actions include reviewing existing policies and protocols, implementing new documentation procedures, and providing staff training, to be completed by April 2021.

Action Planned (AI summary) Sussex NHS Trust will improve communication pathways with the Police and improve guidance to staff regarding contacting the Police following serious incidents.

Action Planned (AI summary) NHS England is implementing enhanced governance arrangements to monitor QVH's action plan, engaging with the Trust to promote networking with BSUH, and assessing the suitability of QVH for specialized services. The CQC will assess protocols, and a monthly CCG-regulated quality forum will oversee the action plan's implementation.