Dedication of staff is praised as young people’s mental health ward rated ‘good’ by CQC inspectors
The care provided by staff at a young people’s mental health ward run by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust has been praised.
The Care Quality Commission has rated the Darwin Centre For Young People at the Trust’s Ida Darwin site in Fulbourn, Cambridge, as ‘good’ following a recent inspection.
Amanda Barrett, Associate Director of Nursing & Quality for CPFT's Children, Young People & Families directorate, said: “The inspectors’ rating and their findings is a tribute to the incredible group of staff who work at the Darwin Centre.
“They are dedicated to providing the very best care to the young people who are admitted to the ward and everyone at the Trust is delighted that their hard and commitment has been reflected in this report.”
The inspection involved officials from the CQC - the independent watchdog and regulator for health and adult social care services in England – took place in May.
During the visit they looked at all aspects of the work that takes place at the ward which provides assessment and treatment to young people, aged 13 to 18, experiencing psychiatric, emotional or psychological problems.
In their report, which can be read in full here, the inspectors highlighted the effectiveness of care and treatment, the communication between staff, young people and their carers, and the ward’s “proactive and positive culture”.
Their report said: “All the young people and carers we spoke with told us they or their loved ones felt safe on the ward.”
Several areas examined by the CQC – effectiveness; equity and experience; and learning, improvement and innovation – were declared be “outstanding”, the highest rating available.
Evidence-based care and treatment available at the Darwin Centre was also rated as “outstanding”, with inspectors saying that “some interventions offered went beyond standard practice”.
The report said: “This service is exceptional at maximising the effectiveness of people’s care and treatment by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.”
Caroline Simmons, Operations Director for CPFT’s Children, Young People & Families directorate said: “The work of the Darwin Centre for Young People has progressed enormously in recent years. We were aware of areas which needed to improve after a previous inspection in 2021 and this latest report is and the overall rating of ‘good’ is testament to the work of everyone who has worked so hard to get us to the place we are today.”
Directorate Clinical Director Dr Mike Basher (pictured) added: “The young people who need inpatient care at the Darwin Centre have complex and severe mental health needs, but our staff are a very special group of people who want to support them and their carers to achieve the very best outcomes. We are determined to build on this excellent report and continue to keep improving the care we provide.”
CPFT provides community physical health services for older people and adults with long-term conditions, mental health services, children’s community services, social care and learning disability services. The Trust is also renowned for its research and development work and, in June 2025, was awarded Teaching Partner status by the University of Cambridge.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Andy Burrows, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Deputy Head of Communications
E communications@cpft.nhs.uk