Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) has achieved a significant milestone by exiting special measures, following a comprehensive review by NHS England.
This development marks a pivotal moment for the Trust, which has been under intense scrutiny and support to address various challenges. NHS England has officially confirmed that NSFT is no longer in the NHS oversight framework (NOF) segment 4 and has been removed from the Recovery Support Programme (RSP), previously known as "special measures".
The RSP is designed to provide a collaborative, system-focused approach to support providers and systems facing the most severe challenges.
NSFT Chair, Zoë Billingham commented:
“I am incredibly proud of our staff and would like to take this opportunity to thank our people for their continued efforts, and everything they have done to help us reach this significant milestone in our improvement journey.
“As Chair of this Trust for three years, the difference between the past and the present is so significant. We have now achieved stability, we have a clear plan, the means for delivery, and the belief that we can change NSFT once and for all for the better. We embrace and welcome the challenge and support from colleagues on this journey. We are not complacent; we continue to strive for better with humility.
“We know that there is much work to do to deliver consistent good quality mental health services and we are committed to achieving this and rebuilding trust across the communities that we serve.”
The decision to move NSFT from segment 4 (mandated national intensive support) to segment 3 (mandated regional support and oversight) comes after a period of sustained improvement. This transition signifies a reduction in the level of oversight and an acknowledgment of the progress made by the Trust.
NHS England described this announcement as "positive news for patients" but emphasised that there is still much work to be done. The next steps will involve working closely with regional colleagues to develop a transition plan that ensures continued improvement and stability.
Caroline Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of NSFT, also said:
“This is a milestone in our improvement journey at the Trust. There truly is so much that has been achieved by everyone last year and so much to feel optimistic about in 2025.
“We can see the impact on service users already, with more positive comments about our services, our friends and family test results have improved, wating times have significantly reduced in some areas, and our performance is improving.
“We do, however, have so much more still to do - our challenge now is to maintain the pace of improvement and ensure it is embedded. I am very grateful to our partners across our local systems and our regional NHS colleagues for their ongoing support.”
As NSFT moves forward, the focus will remain on delivering consistent, high-quality mental health services and rebuilding trust within the communities it serves. The Trust is committed to ensuring that service users, their families, and carers are at the heart of its long-term improvement efforts.
Image credit: iStock
