Prestigious Award for Mental Health Services

(L- R) Andrew Murray, Medical Director, Katie Dickenson, Deputy Charge Nurse (Ward 3), Dr Jim Crabb, Associate Medical Director for Mental Health, Rebecca McLeish, Senior Charge Nurse (Ward 2) and Prof Frances Dodd, Executive Nurse Director.

Wards 2 and 3 in the Mental Health Unit at Forth Valley Royal Hospital have been awarded accreditation status by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) for their commitment to high quality care.

To date, only two other mental health facilities in Scotland have managed to gain accreditation status.

To achieve this prestigious recognition, staff had to meet around 300 standards to demonstrate their commitment to the delivery of high-quality care and treatment. The rigorous and demanding process to evidence the standards were being achieved and maintained took more than two years to complete.

Mental Health Unit Team
Mental Health Unit Team

Dr Jim Crabb, NHS Forth Valley’s Associate Medical Director for Mental Health and Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry, said: “The fact that local staff have manged to develop a demonstrably excellent service and achieve accreditation whilst facing the many challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last two years is simply awe inspiring.

“We also recently received a letter of commendation from NHS Education for Scotland regarding the outstandingly positive feedback received from our medical trainees. The fact that our trainees feel so well supported reflects extremely well on staff working across local mental health services.”

“This accreditation was not only a tremendous boost for local staff, but also sends out an extremely positive message for recruitment.”

A local event was organised to celebrate the accreditation and thank all the staff involved in helping to achieve the national standards over the last two years.