National recognition for Dorset’s inpatient mental health service for young people

Dorset’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) inpatient unit, in Bournemouth, provides the highest level of care possible – and that’s official.

Pebble Lodge, run by Dorset HealthCare in Westbourne, has been awarded accreditation by the Quality Network for Inpatient CAMHS (QNIC) – one of only a handful of units in the UK to earn the certificate, and the second time it has done so.

QNIC is run by The Royal College of Psychiatry, which carries out rigorous inspections of mental health services in England.

It’s a heavily-reviewed process that provides a formal recognition of quality care to referrers, commissioners, local councils and, most importantly, the young people who use the services and their families.

QNIC inspectors evaluate everything from cleanliness, care and environment to facilities, young people’s rights, clinical governance, staffing and training.

Rebecca Matoug, Ward Manager at Pebble Lodge, said:

“We are delighted to receive this accreditation for the second time in a row. This has been a real team effort and is a shining example of the high standards that can be achieved through hard work, commitment and dedication.

“Pebble Lodge supports young people aged 12-18 for everything from anxiety, depression and self-harm to psychosis, personality disorders, severe mental illness and emotional difficulties. This is all done under one roof – we even have our own school so young people don’t miss out on their education.

“It’s great that the hard work and determination of our staff to provide high quality care continues to be recognised through this accreditation.”

Pebble Lodge is also rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). For further information about Pebble Lodge or Dorset CAMHS visit this website.