Children’s services rated good by CQC in Torbay and South Devon

Inpatient and community children’s services run by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as good by the Care Quality Commission following unannounced inspections last year.

The CQC reports identify a number of areas of good practice while also recognising areas where action is being taken to improve.

Inpatient physical health services for children and young people in Torbay and South Devon are provided at Torbay Hospital. The inspection was carried out in response to concerns about children and young people with mental health needs being cared for in an inappropriate setting and took place in November 2024.

The inspection focused on children and young people who were receiving treatment for eating disorders associated with a mental health condition.

Shelly Machin, Families and Community Care Group Director, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, 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. I am proud that the inspection found that our dedicated and compassionate colleagues are doing their best to provide high-quality care and that the service has been rated as good overall.

“Working together with specialists from Devon Partnership NHS Trust, voluntary sector partners and supported by our Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity and our Torbay Hospital League of Friends, our colleagues have ensured that children and young people can access specialist equipment and activities, including sensory kits that have been developed with the involvement of people using the service.

“We are aware of the improvements that are needed and an action plan is in place to help us drive these forward – supporting colleagues with more training and doing what we can to improve the ward environment to maintain privacy, dignity and safety.”

Community health services for children, young people and families in Torbay and Devon are provided by Children and Family Health Devon which provides integrated care and treatment across physical and mental health. Children and Family Health Devon is an alliance of NHS organisations led by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Devon Partnership NHS Trust. The inspection was carried out as part of the CQC’s usual checks on the safety and quality of services in August 2024.

Emma O’Connell, Acting Director, Children and Family Health Devon, said: “I am delighted that the hard work and commitment of our colleagues in Children and Family Health Devon has been recognised. To be rated as good overall is a fantastic achievement and is a testament to the way our teams work together with children, young people and their families to improve outcomes and experiences.

“We are pleased the inspectors found our service to be person-centred and identified many areas of good practice. We are also proud that families told inspectors that they felt safe and listened to by our colleagues and teams.

“We recognise that we need to do more to provide training to our colleagues to support autistic children or children who have a learning disability and we are taking this forward. We will continue to work together with our children, young people and families as well as our wider partners and stakeholders to prioritise prevention and early help and to deliver better outcomes and experiences for all.

Inspectors also identified areas for improvement which were being addressed through a comprehensive action plan. Many of these have already been completed including a dedicated triage telephone service and the delivery of new equipment which was on order at the time of the inspection.

Joe Teape, Chief Executive, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know how vitally important it is that we help our children and young people start well in life, laying the foundations for good health and wellbeing and a positive future. Every member of our children's services is dedicated to providing the best possible care for our children, young people and their families.

“We are pleased that the reports reflect many areas of good practice as well as highlighting those areas where we know we need to make further improvements. I am particularly proud that the CQC recognised that our teams commitment to continually learning and improving services.

“I would like to encourage people to continue to share their experiences of care and give our children and young people a brighter future.”

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