HEALTH inspectors have called for changes at a North-East mental health trust.

The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) has asked County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust to reduce the number of patients who are cared for on mixed-sex wards.

While some of the mental health trust's newer accommodation provides "excellent facilities" for patients and the trust has taken action to reduce the number of mixed-sex facilities, some areas still need attention, according to a CHI report published today.

Inspectors say the trust has "made progress" in improving the quality of mental health care it provides, praising the strong leadership of the trust's executive team and describing staff as "highly committed".

The Priority Services trust is also praised for the multi-sensory room and garden established at the Holmedale unit at Earl's House Hospital, Durham.

Inspectors say the trust needs to do more to involve patients and their carers in their planning of individual care and provide more activities for patients in some areas.

The CHI has also advised the trust to review its policy for the use of seclusion rooms and commented on the "poor quality" of these areas.

Dr Peter Homa, CHI chief executive, said: "The trust has made good progress in ensuring the systems and processes to improve the quality of care for service users are in place. The trust now needs to ensure these strategies are fully implemented and evaluated."

Dr Homa said the trust will produce an action plan to tackle "areas of concern" which will ensure the quality of care is improved.

* The full report is available on www.chi.nhs.uk