A 12-bed regional young people’s inpatient unit has been commended by recent reports for its person-centred care.

For the second year running, the north of Scotland regional child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) young people’s inpatient unit (YPU) in Dundee has received positive reports from two inspection bodies.

Both the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland and the Royal College of Psychiatry Quality Network for Inpatient CAMHS praised the services provided for some of the most vulnerable young people aged between 12 and 18 years.

Serving Tayside, Grampian, Highland, Orkney and Shetland, care planning in the Dudhope Terrace unit is said to be ‘person-centred and comprehensive’.

A strong emphasis on communication with families and carers is also commended, alongside the introduction of a new role in the form of a link charge nurse and case manager to ensure loved ones are engaged in the care of patients. 

Inspectors welcomed a strong focus on staff development as well as ongoing collaboration with Police Scotland, and commended the variety of therapeutic interventions and groups available.

Having received 96% in the Royal College of Psychiatry’s review, the Dundee based multidisciplinary team can now work towards national accreditation with the College early next year. If successful it will become the first unit in Scotland to achieve this.

CAMHS regional network manager Lesley-Ann McGregor said: “The service has been extremely pleased with this year’s reports as both demonstrate the continued improvements by the multidisciplinary team to improve care and treatment to young people and their families and carers. 

“The improvement journey is still in its early stages…Initially the service’s focus was to improve safety and reduce harm through innovation and collaboration between staff, service users, families and carers. 

“As a result the service has been a leader in patient safety improvements for inpatient CAMHS and is now helping influence the future of patient safety initiatives within NHS Scotland CAMHS. 

“It is fantastic that the team has been assessed as being able to undertake the accreditation review next year. This is testament to the dedication and commitment of the multidisciplinary team and is a great achievement by all staff.”