CHESHIRE and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust has achieved top marks in a survey of mental health community services.

Based on the views of local people, the Care Quality Commission review saw the trust achieve the highest score in four out of nine areas covered – more than any of the other 56 similar organisations.

Chief executive Sheena Cumiskey said: “These results are a great reflection on the quality of care delivered by our community mental health services and show the commitment and fantastic work that our staff do every day.

“As well as celebrating the excellent results we have achieved, we also recognise there is always room for improvement and we will take all the feedback on board to provide an even better quality of service going forward.

“To have achieved the highest scores in the country in many areas is extremely positive.”

Patients were invited to give comments on the care they receive and among them was: “Without the help from my GP and psychologist, I would not have been able to return to work.”

The areas where the partnership achieved top ratings were: organising and planning patient care, crisis care and “overall experience.”

The trust is one of the biggest employers in Cheshire and Wirral, with 3,400 staff.