The NHS Trust responsible for community and mental health services on the Isle of Wight has received national recognition for the way it involves and supports carers.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded Triangle of Care Star 1 Accreditation following an independent peer review by Carers Trust.
The Triangle of Care programme aims to bring together health services, patients and carers to improve communication and ensure those providing unpaid care are recognised and supported throughout a person’s care.
The accreditation follows a review carried out in June and reflects progress made since the merger of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Solent NHS Trust and Isle of Wight community and mental health services.
The merged Portsmouth and Isle of Wight teams formally received the accreditation on 13th July.
Reviewers highlighted the Trust’s organisational commitment to carers, its governance arrangements and dedicated carer support roles.
Partnership working with local carers’ organisations and the involvement of carers in developing services were also recognised.
The review found that supporting carers had been embedded as a ‘golden thread’ through the Trust’s governance, engagement and clinical services.
Dr Lesley Stevens, Chief Quality and Engagement Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has said:
“Achieving Triangle of Care Star 1 Accreditation is an important recognition of our commitment to working in partnership with carers, who play a vital role in supporting the people who use our services.
“This accreditation reflects the dedication of colleagues across Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight to embedding a culture that recognises, values and supports carers at every stage of a person’s care experience.
“I am particularly proud that the review highlighted the strength of our partnerships with local carers’ organisations and the meaningful involvement of carers in shaping services.
“While we celebrate this achievement, we are focused on the next steps, including improving support for young carers and underrepresented groups, strengthening staff training and ensuring carers’ voices continue to influence how we deliver care across our communities.”
The Trust says it will now work to improve the identification and recording of carers, increase support for young carers and those from underrepresented communities and improve how outcomes for carers are measured and reported.
