Inspection finds staff pressures, service delays and culture challenges

An inspection of mental health trust South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has revealed staff pressures, service delays and culture challenges.

(c) Markus Winkler/Pixabay

(c) Markus Winkler/Pixabay

The inspection between June and October 2025 covered four services as well as the trust's leadership.

While the inspection highlighted many areas of good practice and praised staff for their respect, kindness and compassion, the CQC also found significant pressures on staff, delays accessing services and the need for improvements related to culture.

Jane Bailey, the trust chair, who was appointed last summer and Ade Odunlade,  interim chief executive since December 2025, said: ‘The CQC inspection feedback we have received is invaluable in helping to guide us on our journey of improvement. 

‘As an organisation we will be focussing on the areas where we can do better and building on the things we are doing well. We will continue to work closely with our board, directorate and service leaders to update our action plans, which we have already begun work on as part of the 2026 Roadmap, Five Foundations. 

‘We thank our colleagues for their continued focus on our patients, service users and carers who are at the heart of all we do, and for their commitment to improving the care and services we provide.'

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