People in Waltham Forest who experience memory problems receive a high quality and sustainable service, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP).

The RCP, which accredits the service, assessed it against national sustainability standards and awarded the borough a sustainable mental health service commendation.

Waltham Forest's memory service, delivered by the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT), was congratulated for high impact work.

Tina Luckie, manager of the older adult mental health services in Waltham Forest, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be awarded the sustainable mental health service commendation from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

“This service has exceeded national targets and, with investment from commissioners and effective joint working relationships, it continues to offer excellent assessment, diagnostic and post-diagnostic services to the residents of Waltham Forest.

“The service has been accredited by the Memory Services National Accreditation Programme for some years so it was an added bonus to receive the commendation as well.”

As part of its work to focus on the sustainability of mental health, the RCP’s sustainability committee has been working with the College Centre for Quality Improvement to assess a number of mental health services.

The sustainability standards are based on the principles of prevention, allowing patients and carers to manage their own mental health, elimination of wasteful activity, making use of low-carbon alternatives and empowering staff in their daily work.

Nuzhat Anjum, Associate Director for Strategic Commissioning at NHS Waltham Forest Clinical Commissioning Group, said the commendation recognises the hard work that staff have put in to transform services for those with dementia.

“We would like to see an increase in the amount of people receiving diagnosis for memory problems in the borough so that people can receive the right care,” she said.