Berkshire Healthcare Achieves Advanced Trust Status!

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded Advanced Foundation Trust status, which it says will help improve services for patients.

The trust delivers CAMHS children and young peoples mental health services in West Berkshire and is one of the first trusts to receive the new national mark from NHS England.

The status recognises high-performing NHS organisations that consistently deliver excellent care, strong leadership, financial sustainability and value for money, while showing the ability to improve health outcomes.

However, the wider CAMHS system is under heavy criticism, largely blamed on funding shortages. A council report says there is a growing and worsening trend of school pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs in West Berkshire.

Families in the area are backing a national petition led by Tom Tunney from Thatcham, whose child waited over two years for support. The petition urges the Government to tackle long waits, limited communication and a lack of ongoing support for diagnoses such as autism and ADHD.

ADHD Right to Choose assessments were paused by Berkshires regional health board because of an £8m overspend a few months ago.

Berkshire Healthcare was chosen as part of the first national cohort for independent assessment after an Outstanding Care Quality Commission rating, strong operational and financial performance, and a track record of innovation and partnership working.

The new status gives the trust greater autonomy and flexibility to make decisions locally, respond faster to patients needs, and strengthen partnerships across Berkshire and beyond.

The trust says the status will help accelerate faster, more joined-up care, greater use of digital services, more personalised and preventative healthcare, stronger partnership working and an increased focus on reducing health inequalities.

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter