Independent investigation: Elizabeth Thomas, Oxted (2014)

It should be standard practice that CAMHS staff will liaise with schools and arrange multi-disciplinary/agency discussion where appropriate, and actions and outcomes should be recorded. The local operational policy should be amended to include this expectation. Read more It should be standard practice that CAMHS staff will liaise with schools and arrange multi-disciplinary/agency discussion where appropriate, and actions and outcomes should be recorded. The local operational policy should be amended to include this expectation. Show less

The Trust should strengthen its process in relation to how it assures itself that the actions from Serious Incidents have been fully operationalised and embedded.

The Trust should ensure compliance with clinical risk management and clinical documentation policies, and audit the effectiveness of this process

The Trust to strengthen how it captures patient and family agreement with their care plans in the Electronic Patient Record, in line with its existing performance indicators on individuals and families receiving a copy of their care plan and people … Read more The Trust to strengthen how it captures patient and family agreement with their care plans in the Electronic Patient Record, in line with its existing performance indicators on individuals and families receiving a copy of their care plan and people feeling involved in developing their care plans Show less

The Trust should further strengthen the process currently in place to ensure that carer’s assessments are carried out as expected in policy.

The Trust should ensure that GPs receive regular updates on mental health care provided by the Trust, including timely discharge letters. Adherence to this expectation should be audited and monitored to ensure compliance

A service should be agreed regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder provision in CAMHS between SaBP and Commissioners.

A quality standard regarding the recording, timely assessment and documented outcome of a formal mental state assessment when sought by a CAMHS nonmedical practitioner should be specified.

Formal mental state assessments should follow a standard approach and cover expectations surrounding adequate questioning.

Services for young people, including schools and SaBP CAMHS services should raise awareness of inter relationship abuse amongst young people, and ensure that opportunities for education, support and disclosure are available.

The Trust should change the policy and procedure on engagement with and support of families of victims and perpetrators involved in serious incidents to comply with current guidance. This should include the requirement to document decisions made, and clear descriptions … Read more The Trust should change the policy and procedure on engagement with and support of families of victims and perpetrators involved in serious incidents to comply with current guidance. This should include the requirement to document decisions made, and clear descriptions of roles and responsibilities. Show less