AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE based NHS trust has risen up the rating system to achieve a good grade.
Pennine Care, whose headquarters are on Old Street, was previously told it requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
But after its latest assessment in February, it has not been told it falls into the good category.
Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust provides services for autistic people, those with a learning disability and those needing mental health support across the eastern half of Greater Manchester and Glossop.
It has 4,700 staff and delivers care from 88 different locations in six boroughs.
It previously rated how well-led the trust is as requires improvement in an inspection using its previous methodology for trust ratings.
But this latest probe, part of its continual checks on the safety and quality of healthcare services, paints a better picture.
Inspectors found leaders were working effectively with Bury Council to develop a community mental health and learning disability hub to provide extra support for people.
Pharmacy staff felt safe reporting incidents to improve medication safety and there had been a recent increase in low-risk reports, which is a positive indicator of an improving safety culture
The trust maintained strong oversight of its estates and equipment through structured safety reviews to ensure everything was safe for people to use.
Governors reported that the trust was a diverse and welcoming organisation for partner organisations, staff and people using services.
Leaders had robust and realistic strategies for achieving priorities and addressing any challenges when they arose.
Users on the trust also gave good feedback, with the report stating: “In March 2026, 2,652 people completed the Friends and Family Test.
“Most respondents reported a positive experience, with 88 per cent rating their care as very good or good.
“Feedback consistently highlighted staff who were empathetic, patient and non-judgmental, and who listened carefully and treated people with dignity and respect.
“People described feeling supported, understood and reassured, with care that was personalised and responsive to individual needs.
“During our assessments of acute wards and PICU, inspectors spoke with 40 patients and seven carers.
“Most described staff as respectful and caring. On the older people’s mental health wards, feedback from 28 patients and 22 carers was largely positive, with staff described as caring and wards clean and well maintained.”
Craig Howarth, the CQC’s deputy director of mental health in the North West, said:
“During our well-led inspection of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, we found the trust’s board and leadership team had an appropriate mix of skills and experience who worked with honesty, integrity and openness.
“Leaders were inclusive, compassionate and focused on continuous improvement.
“We saw leaders undertaking regular visits and walk rounds of frontline services which improved their visibility to staff at all levels and ensured they were aware of any issues and challenges.
“People spoke highly of how services were led in a recent family and friends survey where 88 per cent of people rated their care as good or very good.
“Feedback consistently highlighted staff who were empathetic, patient, non-judgmental and treated them with dignity and respect.
“Also, leaders ensured people with specialist needs were understood and listened to, and we saw carers and people with lived experience working with ward staff on a development day to offer advice.
“There were also areas leaders must improve to ensure staff feel safe and supported.
“Feedback from medical consultants, nurses, health care assistants and ethnic minorities groups reported under resourced staffing as well as increased incidents of violence and aggression from people using services.
“Leaders were working to improve staffing numbers and all nursing posts were filled and recruitment was underway for other roles.
“Leaders and staff should be pleased with the positive findings in our report, and we look forward to seeing their continued progress.
“We have also told leaders where we expect to see improvements and we will continue to monitor them, including through future inspections, to ensure these are made and the existing progress is embedded and sustained.”