Cygnet Hospital Maidstone Gains Carer Accreditation

Cygnet Hospital Maidstone has become the ninth Cygnet Health Care service to receive the Triangle of Care accreditation for the work it does to involve carers in the support of their loved ones.

In 2023, Cygnet became the first independent provider of health and social care services to be accredited by the Carers Trust Triangle of Care programme.

Cygnet Hospital Maidstone, on Gidds Pond Way, Kent, has been recognised for its continued efforts and commitment to improving the way the services work with carers and families.

The 63-bed hospital, which offers a range of mental health services for men and women, has achieved the one-star accreditation, meaning staff have successfully demonstrated their commitment to making a difference to the lives of carers.

Hospital Manager Louisa Powell explained: “At Cygnet Hospital Maidstone we have been working very hard over the past few years to improve our carer engagement.

“Whilst working towards the Triangle of Care Accreditation, we have developed new processes, practices and systems to help us do the best we can for carers.

“We are thrilled that all of this has helped us provide a better, more supportive and open service for our carers and we have received our Star 1, Triangle of Care Accreditation.

“We will continue striving for improvement and ensure that the principles of the Triangle of Care are embodied through all we do.”

The Triangle of Care is an alliance between carers, service users and health professionals. It aims to promote safety and recovery and to sustain wellbeing in mental health by including and supporting carers.

There are an estimated seven million unpaid carers in the UK, 13% of whom support people with mental health conditions. These carers can provide vital insight into the treatment and condition of those they care for. Carers Trust’s Triangle of Care partnership plans to harness that knowledge in an alliance between unpaid carers, those receiving care, services and mental health professionals.

The Triangle of Care was initially developed to improve mental health acute services by adopting these six principles:

1. Carers and the essential role they play are identified at first contact or as soon as possible thereafter.
2. Staff are ‘carer aware’ and trained in carer engagement strategies.
3. Policy and practice protocols regarding confidentiality and sharing information, are in place.
4. Defined post(s) responsible for carers are in place.
5. A carer introduction to the service and staff is available, with a relevant range of information across the care pathway.
6. A range of carer support services are available.

In their submission response accrediting Cygnet Hospital Maidstone, the review panel stated: “We were impressed to hear more of how carer engagement has developed, particularly being very proactive to respond early if staff feel there is a potential for concern. The carers direct phone line also stood out as an opportunity to be inclusive in carer engagement.

“We were incredibly grateful to hear from a carer and their story. It was clear that the carer appreciated the difference from other settings in terms of support and adaptability.

“The action plan is clear and evolving. The panel also thought the move to replicate the patient’s forum with a carer’s forum for consultation and co-production is an excellent example of best practice.”

1Triangle of Care Programme Lead at Carers Trust, Sharon Spurling, commended the work and effort being done at Cygnet hospitals to improve the lives of carers.

“Undertaking the Triangle of Care requires commitment from all levels of an organisation to honestly report how the standards are met and to acknowledge where improvements are needed. The Cygnet hospitals have shown that their work supports wider system change for how carers are recognised and supported as equal and expert partners in care”.