Region’s mental health trust exits special measures
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) is to exit special measures following a review by NHS England.
NHS England has confirmed that NSFT is no longer in NHS oversight framework (NOF) segment 4 and has been removed from the Recovery Support Programme (RSP), formerly known as “special measures”.
The RSP provides a collaborative, system-focused approach for supporting providers and systems with the toughest challenges.
Following a period of sustained improvement, NHS England has confirmed that NSFT will move from segment 4 (mandated national intensive support) to segment 3 (mandated regional support and oversight).
NHS England described the announcement as “positive news for patients” but said there is much work still to do. The next steps will involve working with regional colleagues to agree a transition plan to ensure continued improvement.
Zoë Billingham, Chair of NSFT, welcomed the announcement and thanked staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment. She said: “I am incredibly proud of our staff and would like to take this opportunity to thank our people for their continued efforts, and everything they have done to help us reach this significant milestone in our improvement journey.
“As Chair of this Trust for three years, the difference between the past and the present is so significant. We have now achieved stability, we have a clear plan, the means for delivery, and the belief that we can change NSFT once and for all for the better. We embrace and welcome the challenge and support from colleagues on this journey. We are not complacent; we continue to strive for better with humility.
“We know that there is much work to do to deliver consistent good quality mental health services and we are committed to achieving this and rebuilding trust across the communities that we serve.”
Caroline Donovan, Chief Executive Officer at NSFT, said: “This is a milestone in our improvement journey at the Trust. There truly is so much that has been achieved by everyone last year and so much to feel optimistic about in 2025.
“We can see the impact on service users already, with more positive comments about our services, our friends and family test results have improved, wating times have significantly reduced in some areas, and our performance is improving.
“We do, however, have so much more still to do - our challenge now is to maintain the pace of improvement and ensure it is embedded. I am very grateful to our partners across our local systems and our regional NHS colleagues for their ongoing support.”
She added: “The Trust is ensuring that service users, their families and carers are at the heart of our long-term improvement, and we are working at pace to improve the quality of our services.
“One of the key programmes of work we have undertaken is to work with service users, carers and bereaved families to learn from the deaths of people who have used the Trust’s services.
“This learning has been vital and will, and in many cases has already, led to Trust wide improvements. The Trust now has a credible mortality reporting system, but we recognise there is still much more to do. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the bereaved families and carers who have been working with us, for their invaluable challenge and support.
“I am delighted that we now have a Service User and Carer Council established with plans to develop one council in each of our five new localities. This is essential to ensure the voice of service users, carers and families is integrated into everything we do.”
Paul Harrison, NSFT’s interim lead Governor, said: This is a positive step forward for the Trust. Thank you to everyone at NSFT and those working with us for the hard work and dedication required to make the improvements that today's announcement recognises.
“There is still some way to go before we can be confident NSFT is consistently delivering high quality care across all its services. However, this demonstrates progress can be made when we work well with our partners and staff, and with our service users, carers, and their families.
“We now need to embed and sustain the positive changes already made and push forward with our improvement programme to continue to develop better mental health services for the people of Norfolk and Suffolk.”
Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB, said: "NSFT has moved out of intensive support after three years, which is testament to the commitment and collaboration of everyone involved. There is still much more to do to continue improving patient services, but it’s important to acknowledge all the effort put in by staff, service users, their families and wider partners, and the spirit of collaboration through which this was achieved. On behalf of NHS organisations across Norfolk and Waveney, we look forward to continuing to improve and build on this important step."
Ed Garratt, Chief Executive at the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “This is a significant milestone for the trust which is a clear demonstration that it is determined to address performance related issues and improve services for patients and their families.
“It is a testament to the hard work by its staff, leadership and those patients and their families who have supported the trust to bring about the improvement needed. While there is of course more that needs to be done, it is a step in the right direction and a clear sign that the organisation is turning a corner.”
Clare Panniker, Regional Director for NHS England, said: “This is positive news for our patients. While there is much work still to do, the improvements recognised here come as result of hard work to tackle the long-standing issues faced by NSFT.
“NHS England will ensure that these improvements are built upon at pace to further improve the service NSFT provide. We will always support our Trusts to provide better healthcare outcomes to patients and residents of the East of England by working together in a structured way that improves services for all.”