It is deeply concerning that the region's mental health trust has, once again, been branded as failing vulnerable patients.

To put it bluntly, it is simply not good enough that the trust is once again to be put into special measures.

We have been here before.

The patients who Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust treat are mentally ill. They need to be safe and they need to get the best possible care.

They are not getting that and they have not got that for a number of years.

READ MORE: Inspectors brand region's mental health trust inadequate againIn 2015, it became the first mental health trust in the country to go into special measures. There were pledges and promises to turn things around.

It seemed progress was being made. Last year, the Care Quality Commission upgraded the trust to 'requires improvement'.

Yet it is now inadequate again, with the chief executive Michael Scott having already departed.

Newly appointed chief executive Julie Cave has apologised to patients and said the trust is determined to improve.

We have heard that before. Last time the improvements did not last.

It's worth noting inspectors praised the staff for their kindness and compassion, while identifying there were not enough of them.

The blame has been placed squarely on the leadership.

Nobody is suggesting it will be easy, but is time for those at the top to step up to the mark.