Welcome to the summary page of our recent board meeting
This section includes an overview of the main discussions, decisions, and future plans presented during the meeting. This summary is intended to inform those who were unable to attend and offer a brief review of the latest developments. This briefing aims to keep you informed of the discussions at our Trust Board. To read the 2025 papers, please see the Board agenda pack. Please note this briefing does not replace the official Board minutes, which will be published in due course on the website.
CEO and Chair announcements
- CWPs Living Well Service recently welcomed NHS England Chair Richard Meddings to one of its mobile clinics. Isla Wilson, "It was a great way to demonstrate that our Living Well service is more than a consulting room on wheels but embedded work within the community."
- Over 270 delegates came together for the 2025 conference of the Centre for Autism, Neuro-Developmental Disorders, and Intellectual Disability (CANDDID) to listen to national and international experts talk about ‘Health Inequalities and Neurodevelopmental Conditions’. CANDDID, based in Chester, and hosted by CWP brings together, education, training, and research in the fields of neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities.
Tim Welch, "There is an awful lot going on at the moment; a lot we are working through following the national news regarding the absorption of NHSE into the DHSC, a very challenging financial and operational planning piece for 25-26 whilst looking forward to the NHS 10 year plan where we will continue to do the right thing for our patients and communities. We appreciate that this may raise a number of questions and at this stage we are working through details as they become available. I want to assure you that we will keep you updated as soon as we learn more."
In addtion, a formal congratulations to Andy Styring and farewell to Anushta Sivananthan
Tim Welch, CEO, "Congratulations to Andy Styring, director of strategy and partnerships and his new wife Marianne, who are currently on honeymoon and to note this will also be Nush's last Board meeting. My personal thanks for all the support you have given and thank you so much for everything you have done for CWP."
Faouzi Alam, joint medical director, "Nush is the longest serving medical director in all mental health Trusts which just shows how resilient you are and have been.”
Tracy Narot, director of people and organisational development, “You have really challenged us on equality and diversity and I've learnt so much from you.”
Patient story: my opinion of leadership and ethnicity, Anushta Sivananthan, joint medical director
Its fair to say ethnic minority backgrounds are unrepresented in senior posts....I can’t stress the importance of allyship in helping people reach their potential. As well as having clinical role models...we also have roots such as our networks ie diveristy alliance to help build your confidence....I thoroughly enjoy being a medical manager. At the core of it is you can make a difference for a lot of people.”
- Recurrent savings remains a concern with a number of significant pressures impacting the financial performance of the Trust and delivery on the efficiency programme remaining a risk. Mitigations are in place to manage pressures and the capital plan remains in line with expectation.
- CWP are commencing an exit plan regarding the Childhood immunisation service.
Presented by Liz Harrison, NED
Discussion regarding national living wage uplift:
Isla Wilson, “This is one of the biggest things we can do to support our community and our staff where they can live a life – it will be very difficult and challenging for us however following discussion there is support for this decision and remain in agreement that paying a real living way is a CWP commitment not only to our colleagues but our strategy and our values. ”
- Continuing to review CWPi implementation, aligned to four improvement themes #assurance
- Noted the substantial number of research developments (ie CANDDID, research strategy) #achievements #patientoutcomes
- Noted the refreshed research strategy which is aligned to CWPi objectives
- Noted improvement actions, sub-group reports and progress from ‘SEE (Safety, Effectiveness, Experience) Quality
- Board approved self-assessment and designated body Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer improvement framework #evidence
Presented by Julie Higgins, NED
"We want to draw the Board's attention to the importance of research on clinical practice and how it influences patient experience." Julie Higgins, NED
"I want to officially recognise all the amazing research work that has been done." Faouzi Alam, medial director
"I would like to highlight the research and recruitment of participants and the fact we are listed second in the UK - this is an amazing accomplishment." Chris Lynch, NED
"I would like to commend CANDDID's annual report and accessible reporting - its an amazing easy read example - its brilliant." Isla Wilson, Chair
- Corporate Governance Manual Review – Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) and Scheme of Delegation reviewed and approved by the Committee
- Anti-Fraud Work Plan 2025-26 Plan reviewed and approved noting the key areas of focus and the proactive measures to be taken.
- Internal audit MIAA progress report - all outstanding actions to be completed #assurance
- Update provided on the Board Assurance Framework, highlighting the progress made in implementing the new Risk Management process including the Corporate Risk Register and the development of the Board Assurance Framework
- Agreed for Audit Committee to receive a report on tender waivers every 6months
- Board approved changes to the Trust’s Corporate Governance Manual (CGM), currently being comprehensively reviewed
Presented by Eric Solomons, NED
- Policy approval included Annual Leave policy, including revisions to increase flexibility around provision of annual leave. Special Leave policy and Sexual Safety policy.
- Endorsement made for the Trust’s continued commitment to the Real Living Wage.
- Board noted performance against People metrics (ie across North West mental health Trusts, CWP are reporting the lowest sickness absence rates), assurance re targets set including reduction in 12 month rolling sickness target to 6% and turnover target to 9%.
- The staff survey update is coming up in Board discussion however the focus is now on communication and engagement with staff on survey results and action plans in response. Longer term Trust ambition to progress towards 70% response rate.
- Board approved the revised statement on Modern Slavery and noted the annual safer staffing review and recommendations.
Presented by Chris Lynch, NED and deputy chair of People Committee
- Reflected on years progress and challenges as we move into 25-26 and how that sits within system sustainability and therefore our roles as NEDS
- Reflected on how NEDs support horizon scanning, external factors and an understanding of the state of the nation and the moving picture both short term and long term
- NEDS queried their position to challenge difficult decisions and the organisations risk appetite, reflecting on CWPs constitutional position and how NEDs sufficiently support executives
- As committee chairs how do NEDS enable the helicopter view whilst reporting back alongside trigulation
Presented by Julie Higgins, NED
- CWP Board assurance framework is aligned to our 8 strategic objectives and improvement themes. We have 9 risks; 6 which are red and above risk appetite #strategiccapacity
- Board discussed its risk appetite specifically for the design and commissioning of services
- Board reviewed and approved the Board Assurance Framework outline risks 2025/26
Presented by Anushta Sivananthan, joint medical director
"This is a huge improvement." Eric Solomon, NED
"The role of the integrated performance report will also play into this and will happen but looking at improvement, mitigations, monitored and map key indicators across our corporate risk register and therefore a piece of work which likely come to committees", Suzanne Edwards, Director of Operations and Deputy CEO
"We had a really value Board development session to understand this work and therefore our committment to how this evoles." Tracy Narot, Director of People
Board discussion
- Following an independent anti racist cultural review by Purple Infusion Ltd, a number of recommendations were discussed and accepted to address the issues raised. Recommendations include racism awareness and understanding, strengthening leadership commitment, training and education opportunities and further development of Just Culture approach.
Geffry Ebhote, CWP student and anti-racist leader, “I work on a ward where we had a new service user who put us in a difficult position and the abuse coming from this service user was a lot. I voiced my concern but I know for some of my colleagues, for them, it could come across as “I’m moaning” not “something will get done about it”. I however voiced my concern and something was done and created a better environment and now we are more comfortable working with this service user. As a CWP staff member, how we react to it is important. As a ward, this has made a difference and made myself and colleagues more comfortable – teaching and guiding the patient is a big task and its not an expectation we can change but how we react to it has made a difference.”
Nush Sivananthan, joint medical director, “The report is heartbreaking and not a surprise – the focus for me is leadership; at a team level. Our leaders needs to be confident in being anti-racist and our confidence to respond to what’s happening with clear boundaries on how to manage issues.”
Tracy Narot, director of people and organisational development, “What I have learnt from this work, service visits and meeting colleagues is the importance of not relying on colleagues who are at the detriment of the behaviour. We are committed to reporting this behaviour but for me its Speaking Up locally to the issue and alleyship.”
Tim Welch, CEO, “I’ve been struggling with the uncomfortableness of this report and colleagues being put in a position - that really isn’t great. We cant shy away from what this report has found, systemic issues related to race and racism – looking at the recommendation list we need to be laser focused linked to our People improvement theme. Psychological safety is paramount.”
- Staff survey results; above average scores in five of the seven People Promise themes and also for ‘Engagement’ and ‘Morale’ and the highest scoring NHS trust of our type for colleagues feeling trusted to do their job, and questions around our wellbeing and team working score as some of the highest too.
The Board takes moderate assurance from the NHS Staff Survey 2024 results, particularly in relation to the NHS People Promise and Themes, considering the performance since 2021 and the Trust’s sector benchmark group. Next steps is a local "You said, we did" recommendation that People Committee will oversee and will be used as a way of supporting colleagues regarding what we've heard and what we will do with the results.
