North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust has been confirmed as the new lead provider for Toucan – the West Midlands Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Provider Collaborative.
The change is expected to take place in April 2027, with work already underway to ensure a smooth transition from Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (BWC), the current lead provider.
The change follows a competitive procurement process led by the specialised Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism (MHLDA) commissioning team on behalf of the Midlands Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). An invitation to tender was published earlier this year after BWC confirmed it would not continue in its role as lead provider.
Toucan is a partnership of NHS and independent providers working together to provide specialist mental health, learning disability and autism services for young people aged 13 to 18 across the West Midlands.
The transition gives Combined Healthcare an opportunity to further develop its positive working relationship with Toucan, of which the trust is a partner. Combined Healthcare’s adolescent unit, The Darwin Centre, also works closely with Toucan.
Dr Buki Adeyemo, Chief Executive at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We are proud to become the new lead provider for Toucan and we are excited to build on the collaborative’s strong foundations to ensure high-quality care that meets the needs of children and young people across the West Midlands.
“We will work with partners across the region to strengthen collaboration, support innovation and ensure a seamless transition. Together, we will continue to improve outcomes for children and young people with complex mental health, learning disability and autism needs, while maintaining the strong identity and momentum of the Toucan collaborative.”
Elaine Kirwan, Clinical Director and Director of Toucan, said: “We are delighted to be hosted by our new lead provider, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, and look forward to this next chapter for Toucan.
“The move to our new host organisation will not change our purpose or priorities. Our work will continue as usual as we build on the strong foundations already established and continue working collaboratively with partners to deliver the best possible outcomes for children, young people and families.”
Ongoing updates regarding the transition will be shared on the Combined Healthcare website.
Visit Toucan’s website for further information on the collaborative.
