06/03/2026
News from MPFT: MPFT granted QNPICU accreditation by Royal College of Psychiatrists
A strong teamwork culture and an environment that helps to promote wellbeing and recovery are among the reasons Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) has received a prestigious accreditation from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
The trust is now accredited as part of the Quality Network for Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (QNPICU) for the excellent standards of care demonstrated by its Norbury House inpatient mental health facility in Stafford; a ward which provides treatment for patients who require additional support during their recovery that cannot be delivered in open inpatient settings.
The college granted the accreditation after carrying out a peer review inspection where inspectors assessed the ward environment and facilities available to inpatients alongside the wider support offered to their families and loved ones, and how the multidisciplinary team works together to deliver the best possible care.
The inspection report showed MPFT achieved more than 140 of the required standards to be granted the QNPICU accreditation.
Key areas of achievement included:
➡️ A bright, open and clean ward environment with a range of facilities to support inpatient wellbeing, including a sensory room, gym and safe outdoor space.
➡️ Patient feedback indicating they felt safe, respected and regularly updated on their progress by ward staff.
➡️ Feedback from carers highlighting staff friendliness, approachability and the regular and positive updates they receive from their loved one’s care team.
➡️ A cohesive multidisciplinary team who regularly check on and support each other and are encouraged to be innovative and look for new ways of working that could improve care.
➡️ A strong learning culture and range of professional development opportunities and resources available to staff, including weekly education sessions and access to relevant research publications.
Managing Director for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Care Group at MPFT, Jennie Collier, said:
“We’re delighted to receive this accreditation and I’d like to congratulate all staff involved for their continued hard work and commitment to working together to provide the highest quality care possible for our patients and their loved ones.
“Of the many positive achievements the QNPICU accreditation highlights, I’m particularly proud to see the caring, compassionate and respectful behaviours of our staff featured throughout the report as these are deeply embedded values for all our people to ensure patients are kept at the heart of what we do.”
Further work has been carried out to increase sustainability practices on the ward resulting in a Sustainable Service Accreditation, ensure protected characteristics are considered to ensure all patients are treated equally and fairly, and further embedding of the robust care planning, safe discharge processes and the holistic assessments and treatments carried out on the ward.
The multidisciplinary team includes nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, consultant psychiatrists, activity co-ordinators and a range of support staff.
Senior Occupational Therapist, Katie Harrison, highlighted the strong team culture and its impact on patient care:
“It’s a pleasure to receive this accreditation as part of this team as everybody is so passionate and committed to ensuring our patients are well looked after and their families and loved ones are supported throughout. As a multidisciplinary team, we are all passionate about working together and supporting each other in so many ways which only enhances the care we can deliver to our patients.”
