Service users and staff at Long Leys Court learning disabilities care unit in Lincoln will be welcoming the Department of Health’s Chief Nursing Officer Christine Beasley CBE on Friday 8 February when she visits to officially accredit the site as a Practice Development Unit.

Christine was appointed Chief Nursing Officer in October 2004 and is the Director General within the Department of Health for Professional Leadership, including Allied Health Professions and Healthcare Scientists, and for Partnerships for Children, Families and Maternity.

Christine will be visiting the unit at 9am to unveil a plaque and make a presentation to the team. She will also be chatting with staff and service users about the work that goes on at the unit.

Long Leys Court – part of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – is an assessment and treatment unit for adults with learning disabilities and associated healthcare needs that may include mental health issues, complex epilepsies and challenging behaviour primarily caused by deterioration in their physical or mental health.

Practice Development Unit (PDU) accreditation is a two year process of assessment against 15 set criteria that recognises that quality of service given to service users as well as the expertise of the staff team in the unit and their colleagues.

PDUs aim to care for individuals in an environment most appropriate to their needs, with nurses and designated therapists committed to the delivery of person-centred care.

Audrey Whelan, Matron/Manager for Learning Disabilities, said: “A lot of hard work and dedication has gone in to achieving Practice Development Unit status and we are delighted to welcome Christine to the unit to perform the official opening ceremony.

“This PDU award has allowed us to demonstrate the high standard of good practice there is at Long Leys Court, the level of expertise among staff and the efforts we take to engage with service users and encourage them to take an active role in their recovery."

At the Department of Health, Christine is also the lead director for Reducing Health Associated Infections and the Cleaner Hospitals Programme and leads on the Voluntary Sector and the People and Partnership Programmes.

Christine established the London Standing Conference, engaging nurses across the capital in leading service improvement and contributing to improvements in clinical practice across the country.