A highly critical NHS report has blamed poor management at Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare Trust for a host of problems at its hospitals.

The report followed growing concerns at the management of the trust and the quality and safety of services, which has its headquarters at the Warneford Hospital, Headington. It also runs The Park Hospital for Children in Headington, Littlemore Mental Health Centre, The Fulbrook Centre at the Churchill Hospital, The Elms Clinic in Banbury, and Moorview centre in Witney. The report, commissioned by the Regional Office of the NHS Executive, found:

*Weaknesses in leadership and management

*Low staff morale

*Poor relationships with external bodies

*Breaches in Mental Health Act provisions.

The review team was also concerned about ensuring patients and staff were in a safe environment.

The report said the trust lacked strategic direction, overriding philosophy of care and common purpose, goals and values. Communication from management to staff and external groups had been poor. The report stressed that the problems were not irredeemable and there had been a considerable amount of change since last year.

Action had been taken to strengthen nurse staffing levels and improve safety at the Elms Clinic, Banbury.

The trust's former chairman and its director of nursing had resigned and been replaced.

Former trust chief executive Dr Michael Orr quit on New Year's Eve after his plan to slash £2.2m from his budget was thrown out. He wanted to wipe out the trust's deficit by April 2000. Review chairman Bob Ricketts, director of performance for the South East Regional Office of the NHS Executive, said: "We felt that if we get the management issues right, there is enormous potential for this trust to be one of the best in the country."

Elizabeth Wincott, chairman of the Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust, welcomed the report.

Story date: Wednesday 14 April

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