Berkshire's NHS community and mental health trust has been recognised as 'outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission - following an inspection of its care services.

Julian Emms, chief executive at Berkshire Healthcare which looks after people across the county, said: “I recognise that this news comes at a time when our staff are all under immense pressure managing the COVID-19 pandemic. But we are encouraging our staff to take some time to reflect on this fantastic achievement.

“What this result does prove is what a strong position we’re in to manage whatever is ahead of us over the coming weeks and months. We have the right people and tools to offer the best levels of care and support – both to our patients and to our staff."

Debbie Fulton, Director of Nursing and Therapies at Berkshire Healthcare said: “I’m extremely proud of our staff who truly deserve to be recognised for the amazing work they do.

“I’m also pleased that the culture, which holds both quality patient care and support for our staff at its heart, was highlighted by the CQC. This has been developed through our ongoing commitment to learning, improvement and innovation, as well as compassion and inclusivity.

“However, we don’t see this as the end of our journey by any means. We will continue to strive to deliver outstanding services for the people of Berkshire.”