NHS services for people in mental health crisis in North Staffordshire have been rated as 'good' following an inspection.

The Care Quality Commission found that North Staffs Combined Healthcare was performing well and meeting expectations in this area, after inspectors visited the trust in May.

But the overall rating for the trust's mental health crisis services and health-based places of safety was downgraded from the 'outstanding' it received in 2019. The CQC inspected services at Harplands Hospital's crisis care centre, which provides 24-hour assessment, treatment and support for people in mental health crisis at home.

Inspectors found that the service had enough staff who were appropriately trained, and that patients were fully assessed and included in their treatment planning. They also noted that managers were quick to respond to concerns raised by staff.

But inspectors saw that patients did not always have care plans to guide safe practice, and that staff did not always receive regular supervision or appraisal, which put the service in breach of regulations.

Andy Brand, CQC deputy director of operations in the Midlands, said: "During our inspection, it was clear to see that staff cared for people and supported them with both compassion and empathy. However, while staff had completed personalised safety plans, a lack of care plans for people meant care wasn't always consistent and didn't achieve the best outcomes.

"Staff kept people safe by involving them in their own care to manage any risks. However, they didn't always make sure people had care plans to highlight safe practice to colleagues and didn't give people their own written copy.

"The service ensured people received consistent safe care, both while they were using the service and after they'd been discharged. Staff also knew how to identify adults and children at risk of, or suffering from, significant harm, making safeguarding referrals when necessary.

"Overall, the service was performing well, and leaders and staff should be proud of the work they continue to do to benefit the people in their care."

Patients told the inspectors that staff were 'kind and knowledgeable, and it was found that people were supported to make their own decisions. But staff did not always include patients' personal goals in their care plans, which were not 'recovery oriented'.

Inspectors gave the service individual 'good' ratings in all categories apart from effectiveness, which was rated as 'requires improvement'. The CQC asked the trust to provide an action plan in response to the concerns raised during the inspection.

A spokesperson for North Staffs Combined Healthcare said: "We are grateful to the CQC for this report, which confirms that the service provided by our staff is Good, was consistent and safe and is delivered with compassion and empathy. We also very much welcome and share the CQC's view that our staff should be proud of the work they continue to do to benefit the people in their care.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to continued improvement and learning, we can confirm that we have already put in place arrangements to improve staff appraisals and how we include patient's goals in our care planning, which were highlighted as part of this overall Good rating."