Children's mental health service rated 'good'

A children's health service in Devon which cares for young people with mental health needs has been rated as good following concerns about its setting.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) launched the inspection in response to concerns about the Inpatient Physical Health Services for children in Torbay and South Devon.

The inspection, in November 2024, focused on people who were receiving treatment for eating disorders associated with a mental health condition at Torbay Hospital.

System Director at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Shelly Machin said she was "proud" of the results but she added that she was aware that improvements were still needed.

The published report showed the service ranked as good in respect to how safe, effective, responsive, caring and well-led it was.

However CQC said it must ensure staff have access to additional training in understanding "the needs of children with a learning disability and autistic children".

The overall CQC rating for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust remains as 'requires improvement'.

Mrs Machin said: "Over recent years our paediatric inpatient ward has supported an increasing number of children and young people with eating disorders and mental health needs."

She said she was proud the inspection found her "dedicated and compassionate colleagues" were doing their best to provide high-quality care.

She added: "We are aware of the improvements that are needed and an action plan is in place to help us drive these forward."

She said the trust would support colleagues "with more training" and "doing what we can to improved the ward environment to maintain privacy, dignity and safety".

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