CQC rates leadership at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as good

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated the leadership of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as good following an inspection in June.

The assessment looked at how well-led the trust is, including its leadership, culture, governance and approach to improving services. The trust provides specialist mental health, dementia, learning disability and autism services to around 813,000 people registered with a Lincolnshire GP, operating from more than 50 locations across the county.

Under CQC’s current approach to NHS trust assessments, organisations receive a single trust-level rating focused on leadership and culture. This replaces the broader trust-level ratings previously used by the regulator. Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust had previously been rated outstanding for well-led under CQC’s former inspection methodology.

Inspectors found the trust had a clear vision, strategy and set of values focused on helping people live well within their communities. CQC said staff listened to patients’ concerns and took their experiences seriously, with feedback being used to influence and improve the way services were delivered.

People using the trust’s services and their carers were also encouraged to contribute ideas and work alongside staff when services were being developed or improved. Inspectors found this helped people feel actively involved in their care rather than simply receiving services, while staff also advocated for people who did not feel confident speaking up themselves.

CQC highlighted the trust’s efforts to create more equal relationships between staff and people receiving care. Inspectors found patients felt listened to, safe and empowered, while leaders had developed a culture focused on respect and reducing traditional power imbalances within mental health and care services.

Partnership working was another area recognised by inspectors. The trust has been involved in programmes including community mental health transformation and services for children and young people, with the aim of improving access to preventative and community-based support. CQC also highlighted initiatives including neighbourhood teams and night light cafés, which have been used to support people experiencing or at risk of mental health crises while helping reduce pressure on emergency services.

Staff engagement was viewed positively, with employees understanding their roles and feeling able to contribute to improvements. Inspectors found staff were confident speaking up, while patients could raise concerns through ward meetings and wider forums including the Every Voice Group. Leaders were described as visible and inclusive, with attention given to staff wellbeing and professional development.

The trust was also recognised for its focus on learning, innovation and quality improvement. This included work designed to improve efficiency while maintaining and improving patient care, as well as its involvement in wider system initiatives and national NHS priorities.

However, inspectors identified areas where further progress is required. Although governance and risk-management arrangements were in place, the trust continues to face challenges relating to workforce capacity and financial pressures. CQC also found that quality improvement work and digital initiatives had progressed but were not yet fully embedded consistently across all services.

CQC said leaders and staff should be pleased with the positive findings and that it would continue to monitor the trust’s progress.

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