Social Values Report 2025–26 | Theme 6: Innovating for Quality and Patient Safety

Breathing Strength Into Recovery

The Scarborough, Ryedale and Whitby Community Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service reached a significant milestone this year when it was awarded national accreditation by the Royal College of Physicians’ Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services Accreditation Scheme (PRSAS).

Achieving national accreditation demonstrates a level of quality, safety and leadership that only 21 services in England have achieved, placing our team among a small group delivering truly exceptional care

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a lifeline for people living with chronic respiratory conditions. It helps people manage breathlessness, build strength, reduce anxiety and maintain independence. By delivering programmes in community venues such as Scarborough Rugby Club and local hospitals in Malton and Whitby, the service ensures that people can access specialist support close to home, reducing travel barriers and strengthening local community connections.

The award assessment highlighted excellence across every aspect of the service praising the “lovely culture to work in” and the deeply patient‑centred approach that shapes every interaction.

Through tailored exercise, education and behaviour‑change support, the multidisciplinary team helps people regain confidence in daily life. Many patients report being able to walk further, participate more fully in family life and feel more in control of their health. These improvements translate into wider social value: better wellbeing, reduced isolation, and greater independence for people who often face long‑term challenges.

National evidence shows that high‑quality pulmonary rehabilitation can reduce unplanned hospital admissions for chronic respiratory conditions by up to 20%, representing a meaningful improvement in patient safety and a significant saving for the NHS.

This accreditation is testament to innovation, leadership and a commitment to delivering care that creates lasting social value for individuals, families and communities across Scarborough, Ryedale and Whitby.

By delivering outstanding, evidence‑based respiratory support, the service is helping people live healthier, more confident lives, embodying the Trust’s mission to create lasting social value for the communities we serve.

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this accreditation. It’s a testament to the commitment, professionalism and compassion shown by our team every day. We’re proud to offer a service that meets the highest national standards and supports people across Scarborough, Ryedale and Whitby to live more active, confident lives despite their lung condition.” Beverley Quarton, Service Lead

Measure of success

One of only 21 accredited services in England
High‑quality pulmonary rehabilitation can reduce unplanned hospital admissions for chronic respiratory conditions by up to 20%

Lighting the way in Understanding Behaviour

The Phoenix Programme is an innovative group intervention designed to support individuals experiencing substance misuse alongside complex mental health needs. Delivered over four months within our Forensic services, the programme helps participants build a deeper understanding of their substance use while developing safer, alternative coping strategies.

The programme responds to the challenges of supporting people with dual diagnosis in secure settings, where traditional approaches may not fully address the complexity of need. By combining evidence based psychological theory with a recovery focused model, the Phoenix Programme offers a safe, structured space for people to reflect, learn and make meaningful behavioural changes, building insight, practical tools and confidence to sustain progress beyond the programme.

Since its introduction, the programme has demonstrated strong engagement and positive outcomes. It has been delivered on three occasions, with 21 participants successfully completing the full course to date.

The programme has also contributed to wider learning and improvement across the sector. Assistant Psychologist, Huda Abdullahi and Forensic Psychologist in Training Katie Foy were invited to present the Phoenix Programme at the annual Division of Forensic Psychology conference. Their presentation explored the development of the programme, its theoretical and evidence base and the experience of delivering the intervention within an intensive group setting. The session received strong interest and positive feedback from attendees, highlighting the value of sharing innovative practice and supporting the spread of effective approaches.

This work demonstrates how innovation in clinical practice can enhance quality and safety, particularly for individuals with complex needs. By developing targeted interventions and sharing learning beyond the organisation, the Trust continues to improve outcomes for patients while contributing to the advancement of evidence based practice across forensic mental health services.

“The programme supports individuals to better understand their substance use and develop practical strategies for change, helping to reduce harm and support long term recovery.”

Forensic Psychology Team

Measure of success

· Three cohorts of the Phoenix Programme delivered within forensic services

· 15 participants successfully completed the full programme, with a further six currently engaged

Understanding Behaviour, Transforming Care

The launch of a new Autism Mental Health Support Service in May 2025 represented a significant step forward in delivering more inclusive, personalised and effective mental health care for autistic individuals.

Designed as a neuro affirming service, it works alongside existing mental health provision to improve access, enhance patient experience and reduce barriers that autistic people can face when engaging with services.

Recognising that around 1 in 100 people in the UK are autistic, the service is built on an understanding that individuals experience communication, sensory input and social interaction in different ways. By embedding this awareness into care pathways, the service supports a more responsive approach that adapts to individual needs rather than expecting individuals to adapt to services. This helps to improve engagement, reduce distress and support better overall outcomes, including reducing the need for hospital admission and enabling safer, more timely discharges.

Available to people aged 16 and over with a formal autism diagnosis who are accessing Trust mental health services in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, the service has already demonstrated positive early impact. Since its launch, it has supported a growing number of individuals and contributed to building greater confidence and understanding among staff.

A key strength of the service is its focus on influencing practice across the wider system. By supporting clinicians and advocating for consistent adjustments, the service is helping to embed autism awareness across all mental health touchpoints.

This initiative delivers clear social value by reducing health inequalities experienced by autistic people, improving access to inclusive and personalised care, and preventing escalation of mental health needs. By supporting individuals earlier and more effectively, the service helps reduce crisis presentations and the need for hospital admission, contributing to better long-term stability and wellbeing. It also builds capability across the workforce, creating lasting system wide change so that more people benefit from neuro affirming approaches in the future.

“Our aim is to improve the way care plans are driven, putting the individual needs of patients at the centre of every interaction. There is no one size fits all when it comes to neurodiversity, so our team are able to advise and educate clinicians about how best to meet their patient’s requirements. Our primary goal is to enable better access and support for mental health needs, improving outcomes and reducing the likelihood of admission.”

Hannah Pearson, Clinical Lead

Measure of success

84 referrals received within the first year of service delivery
10 training sessions delivered to support wider workforce understanding and capability

Lived Experience, Future Excellence

Our collaboration with the University of Hull continues to embed lived experience into education. This year members of the Humber Youth Action Group supported a teaching session for third year mental health nursing students, ensuring that real experiences directly inform future practice.

The session was co designed with young people, placing their experiences at the centre of learning. Participants shared their journeys of accessing mental health services, including early intervention, CAMHS, crisis services and inpatient care. These insights provided student nurses with a deeper understanding of how care is experienced from a young person’s perspective.

By sharing honest and personal reflections, the young people offered practical advice on how to build trust, communicate effectively and provide compassionate, person-centred care.

The session was positively received by students, with strong feedback on its impact and relevance. The University of Hull has expressed a commitment to continuing this collaboration, recognising the value of embedding lived experience within professional education.

This initiative delivers social value by empowering young people to use their experiences to influence future care, while also improving the quality and safety of services. By shaping the skills, attitudes and understanding of the future workforce, it contributes to more compassionate, responsive and effective mental health care.

“I really can’t understate how much of an impact days like today have. Knowing that I can use what happened to me to try to reduce the likelihood of other young people being impacted in the same way has done more for me than any therapy ever has. It gives me back my voice and I know that I will be heard.”

Youth Action Group member