MERSEY Care has welcomed a delegation from Ukraine and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to share learning on human rights-based mental health care and how services can support people with dignity, compassion and hope.

The visit, from:- 22 June to 26 June 2026, brought together representatives from the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, clinical professionals and experts by experience as part of the WHO’s QualityRights programme, supporting Ukraine’s ongoing mental health reform.

Dr Noir Thomas, Mersey Care’s Chief Medical Officer, said:- “We’re delighted to welcome colleagues from Ukraine and the WHO to share learning about compassionate care that puts people 1st, protects human rights and supports recovery. The best way to keep improving healthcare standards is to learn from each other, share best practice and hear different perspectives so, as health professionals, we can keep pushing the boundaries and help our communities across the world.”   

The visit took place against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has placed sustained pressure on health services and reinforced the need for mental health care that is trauma-informed, community-based and grounded in human rights.

Anna-Maria Breysacher, mental health specialist at the WHO, said:- “Our delegation included the Ministry of Health, mental health professionals, people with lived experience, lawyers and managers, were impressed by the practice they saw. We experienced a culture of transparency and trauma-informed care on the wards where patients are involved in their care. Co-production and the involvement of people with lived experience in their own care is most important for any transformation. We’ll reflect on what we’ve learned and what can be taken into our own practice in Ukraine.”

During the visit, delegates took part in a programme of learning and engagement, including:-
 

• Leadership discussions with Trust executives and WHO representatives
• Workshops on the WHO QualityRights programme and cultural transformation
• Visits to inpatient and community services to meet practitioners and patients at Mossley Hill, Aspen Wood and The Life Rooms (see pic attached of The Life Rooms staff with the Ukraine delegation)
• Examples of day to day care that reduces restrictive practice, promotes recovery and values lived experience.

The visit highlighted the importance of mental health care that puts the person at the centre, supporting people with dignity, compassion and hope. 

Mersey Care has a number of services which support good practice in complex care settings and has developed the innovative HOPE (S) model, an ambitious human rights-based approach to reducing restrictive practice and segregation developed from research and clinical practice. This was commissioned by NHS England to deliver a national programme and continues to support people across the country.