A WIRRAL health trust has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award in recognition of its mental health care provision.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) is one of six national finalists competing for Health Service Journal (HSJ) awards.

The winners will be announced during a ceremony taking place in London on November 6.

The trust's chief executive Sheena Cumiskey said: "I am absolutely thrilled to hear that we have been shortlisted in the Mental Health Provider category of the Year at this year's HSJ Awards. This is testament to the hard work of all the people who make CWP special.

"The strength of the partnership between our mental health, community physical health, learning disability and social care services enables us to meet the needs of our local communities by truly providing person-centred care, helping people to be the best they can be.

"This recognition tops off a wonderful couple of years for the organisation. In 2018, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the Trust as “outstanding” for caring, the only NHS mental health services provider in the North West to achieve this rating.

"This year, we have launched CANDDID, a centre of excellence which brings together education, training and research in the fields of neuro-developmental disorders and intellectual disabilities.

2In addition, the Trust was recognised as a top performer nationally in the Community Mental Health Survey 2018, opened our new Coronation Road workplace hub (a new integrated workspace for health and care services in Ellesmere Port) and the Trust has launched a brand new All Age Disability Service in Wirral, aiming to improve experiences for people in the area with a disability or mental health condition."

Angela Eagle MP, Wallasey, Labour said: "I would like to congratulate CWP on being named as finalists in the HSJ Awards mental health provider of the year category.

"We know that the Trust has achieved a lot in recent times, including being rated as 'outstanding' for caring by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

"I would also like to wish chief executive Sheena Cumiskey and all of her colleagues, the very best of luck on the big night in November.

"It is crucial that we celebrate all our NHS heroes, from porters, cleaners, technicians to nurses and doctors, for the hard work they do every day, caring for some of the most vulnerable people in our community"