The Learning Disability Service is the first in the UK to receive QNLD accreditation

The Trust’s Learning Disability Service has become the first in the UK to achieve QNLD status, which is the highest form of recognition for service provision.

As this week marks National Learning Disability Week 2024, it is only fitting that our service is recognized with this accolade.

The Quality Network for Learning Disability (QNLD) accreditation program was launched this year. It is run by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and aims to support learning disability services across the country. It aims to evaluate and improve management processes and standards of care.

There are a number of parts that must be met to achieve the status, including 130 standards set by the program.

Awarding it was a team effort. This includes those working in transition, liaison, social work, mental health services, commissioning and research. All played a vital role in the success of the service.

The trust received the good news last month. A statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists says:

“Cornwall’s community team is the first community team to be awarded this status.

“We would like to congratulate you on your achievement and thank you for participating in the program. We know you and the team worked hard to gather all the evidence and make the changes requested by the committees.”

Professor Rohit Shankar MBE is Clinical Director of Disabled Adult Learning Services for the Trust. He says:

“We in the service are humbled by this achievement.

“It is a reflection of the trust our patients, their families and other collaborators have placed in us.

“It demonstrates the passion our service clinicians and non-clinicians have for making a difference to a vulnerable cohort.

“It demonstrates the role, research, high quality evidence and involvement of patients and their families in the development and delivery of services.

“It is important not only to support this, but also to recognize that there is still room to improve and achieve more for our patients and community.”

The community learning disability team also met 90% of the Center for Quality Improvement (CCQI) sustainability standards. For this, they received a commendation for sustainable mental health services.

The service operates cross-functionally with an east and west team. They are based in Bodmin and Redruth, supported by a county-wide intensive support team based in Truro.