The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the National Autism Unit on the 22nd and 25th September 2015, and were rated ‘Outstanding’ because:
- Staff working in the service were acknowledged experts in the assessment, care and treatment of the mental health needs of people with autism spectrum disorder.
- Staff worked constructively with patients to involve them in planning their care and treatment.
- The service had a track record of success in reducing the incidence of challenging behaviour and the severity of mental illness symptoms in patients who had very complex needs.
- The approach of the service was creative.
- The multi-disciplinary team worked effectively to ensure assessments were holistic. The team developed each patient’s care and treatment from a broad range of possible interventions.
- There was a focus ensuring that patients discharged from the National Autistic Unit were either prescribed no medicines at all or prescribed the least amount of medicines for their mental health needs.
- Staff interacted with patients in ways which enhanced their dignity, independence and confidence.
- Morale was high with staff describing a positive working environment and constructive working relationships with multi-disciplinary team colleagues. Staff worked effectively with commissioners and other agencies from across the country in relation to the admission and discharge of patients.
The CQC’s publication of it’s rating and full report can be read here.
For more information about the National Autism Unit and it’s experts, click here. ![15.09.10 SLaM_0130]()
