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Our Quality and Safety Standards

At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, the quality and safety of your care are our highest priorities. There are national and local standards, policies and procedures to ensure you have the best possible outcomes and experience.

We adhere to the NHS Constitution for our standards and waiting times. We are inspected and regulated by national organisations who ensure we provide services to expected levels and meet our commitments within the National Health Service. We also take very seriously the feedback we get from patients and visitors and respond to concerns when they arise.

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Trauma Informed Care

Our commitment to becoming a Trauma Informed Organisation

On 11th May 2022, our Trust made a commitment to become a Trauma Informed Organisation, pledging to provide Trauma Informed Care (TIC) to all of our patients.

It underpins our values and complements other key priorities for the Trust, such as reducing health disparity and improving health equality, personalised care, co-production and staff wellbeing. Delivering trauma informed care is core to the Long-Term Plan of the NHS.

What is Trauma Informed Care?

Trauma Informed Care nurtures a culture of compassion and kindness for all and seeks to avoid re-traumatising people. It offers an environment in which we endeavour to understand and pay attention to the signs and symptoms of trauma and the variety of ways this may present.

Why we are Trauma Informed?

Research has consistently shown a link between the experience of adversity and physical and mental health outcomes. One way trauma has been classified is through Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs). Research has also shown a cumulative negative impact on mental and physical health outcomes (including mortality) in direct relation to increasing numbers of ACEs.

As a Trauma Informed Organisation, we:

  • Realise the impact of trauma and understand potential paths for recovery.
  • Recognise the signs & symptoms of trauma in people, their families, staff and others involved with the system.
  • Resist re-traumatisation of people.
  • Respond by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into our policies & procedures.

Find out more about the concrete steps we are taking to be a Trauma Informed Organisation: Trauma Informed Care.pdf[pdf] 2MB

“Supporting one another compassionately as we move through life informs the basis of our commitment to developing trauma informed care in practice across our organisation”