Accreditation for Inpatient Mental Health Services - Learning Disabilities (AIMS-LD)

Recent high profile press coverage of poor quality care dented public confidence in learning disability in-patient units. The Healthcare Commission responded by reviewing all units in England and published its findings. The Learning Disability Faculty of the Royal College of Psychiatrists decided that the College must respond to these concerns. We have therefore developed an accreditation programme for in-patient services for people with a learning disability. This is being led by the Royal College of Psychiatrists through its Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI). 

All NHS and independent sector in-patient wards are eligible. The only criterion for membership is that the primary function of the ward should be to provide an in-patient assessment, and/or treatment, and/or rehabilitation service for adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs. This could be at any level of security. Long stay/campus units are not covered by the programme.

The development work for the programme was completed at the end of 2008 and membership is now open. There is no outside source of funding for this work and it will therefore need to be supported by a subscription fee of £2,400 (plus VAT) per ward, per annum for 2009.

Key Documents

• Joining Form

• Information Sheet

• Standards - Click to view  'Standards for Adult Inpatient Learning Disability Units'.

If you require any further information or advice, please contact: