About the QNIC network
In addition to general inpatient units, the quality network for inpatient CAMHS (QNIC) also review units for young people with eating disorders, learning disabilities, and low-secure units.
Stage 1: You complete a self-review
The first stage of the process is when you, the service, complete a self-review and send this information to us.
The self-review is done using an online system which guides you through the process step by step.
If you have applied for accreditation, you will be given additional questionnaires for patients, parents/carers, staff and others to complete. You will have two months to complete your self-review.
Stage 2: The review team visit your service
After you submit your self-review, a review team will visit your service.
The review team typically consists of members of the CCQI, a patient representative, and health and social care professionals from other inpatient CYP services.
The health and social care professionals usually include four of the following:
- a psychiatrist
- a psychologist
- an occupational therapist
- a social worker
- a mental health nurse
- ·other mental health professionals.
On a review day, the review team will discuss any challenges that you identified during your self-review and offer advice where possible.
They’ll also interview patients, family/carers, and other agencies that you work with to get an overall view of the care provided.
The day is an excellent opportunity for you to reflect on your current practice and ask for guidance from the review team.
Not only does the host team benefit from the day, but the review team can take learning back to their services, which facilitates quality improvement for everyone involved.
Stage 3: After review day
After the review day, you will be sent an individual report which combines your self-review with the findings from the day, including the strengths and advice on any challenges.
If your service has applied for accreditation, we’ll present the evidence to the QNIC Accreditation Committee who will decide whether your service will be accredited.
Benefits of being a member include:
- Sharing great practice with the review team and getting advice on any challenges you’re facing
- A report focused on your service
- Being part of the QNIC discussion group: post queries and offer advice to staff at other services
- Attending Special Interest Days and study days
- Reduced rates to attend the QNIC Annual Forum, where we present the latest nationwide results and a programme of interesting speakers
- Access to the QNIC Routine Outcome Measurements and Service Evaluation (ROSE) system
- A certificate of participation which can be displayed on your unit
Membership cost for 2024 is £3,355 + VAT per ward/unit year. If you sign up for three years, you get a 5% discount.
The QNIC process is managed and governed by College staff and committees. More detail about each group can be found below.
Advisory Group
The Advisory Group comprises professionals who represent key interests and areas of expertise in the field of inpatient child and adolescent mental health services alongside patient and carer representatives who have experience of using these services. The purpose of the group is to advise and further the work of QNIC. The membership of the advisory group will aim to reflect the range of disciplines working in inpatient child and adolescent services.
Sebastian Rotheray
Advisory Group Chair
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Sowenna
Lorraine Coady
Education Lead, Simmons House
Susan Coyne
Senior Occupational Therapist, Dudhope Young People's Inpatient Unit
Kate Cromey
Care Quality Commission (CQC), Operations Manager
Louise Doughty
Programme Director, CAMHS Provider Collaborative Hampshire, Sussex and Kent
Michael Ebbutt
Social Worker, South West Provider Collaborative
Colleen Fahy
Regional CAMHS Quality Manager, Elysium Healthcare
Emilola Johnson
Patient Representative, QNIC
Nicola Johnston
Clinical Educator, Beechcroft
David Kingsley
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Priory Group CAMHS
Cecelia Moyes
Consultant Psychiatrist
Dan O'Mara
Head of Nursing, Parkview Clinic
Laurie Van Nierkerk
Medical Director, Cygnet Health Care
Accreditation Committee
The Accreditation Committee recommends accreditation status based on the evidence gathered during the self and peer review period. In particular, it looks closely at any instances of non-compliance with Type 1 Standards. The committee consists of members from across the disciplines who are experts in the field of inpatient child and adolescent services, alongside patient/carer representatives.
Stuart Lynch
Accreditation Committee Chair
Service Manager, Dorset Healthcare
Karl Coldman
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Cygnet Health Care
Richard Dyer
Head of Children's Health and Wellbeing, Jersey CAMHS
Paul Millard
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Alex Millham
Team Leader and Family Therapist, Solent East Eating Disorder Service
Carol-Anne Murphy
Nurse Consultant, Warrington CAMHS
Jayne Rowlands
School Manager, Cygnet Hospital Bury
Sebastien Thompson
Clinical Psychologist, Cygnet Sheffield
Eshan Vadgama
Patient Representative, QNIC
Luke Webb
Transitions Nurse, Pebble Lodge
Michelle Whitfield
Social Worker, Pebble Lodge
If you have any questions about QNIC please contact the Project Team at qnic@rcpsych.ac.uk.
Arun DasProgramme Manager
Nicole McCarthy
Deputy Programme Manager
Leyla Ury
Deputy Programme Manager
Lucy Anderson
Project Officer
Peter Chang
Project Officer
Tom Metcalfe
Project Officer
Niamh Payne
Project Officer
Gizem Robinson
Project Officer
For more information about QNIC-ROSE, please get in touch at qnicrose@rcpsych.ac.uk