A Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection report on our Trust has shown how we continue to make improvements in the quality of care we provide to our patients.                  

Just over a year since the last inspection by the CQC, which found transformational change at our Trust. This resulted in our leaving special measures. The 2018 report of four core services at both Queen’s and King George hospitals found that further improvements had been made.

Three services – Surgery, Maternity and Medical Care (including older peoples’ care) were given improved ratings and are now rated ‘Good’ overall. 

The inspection team found that every one of the four core services being assessed as part of the ‘focused inspection’ had shown improvement across the five ‘domains’ it measures (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led). These were seen across both our hospitals.

Our Maternity department is now rated ‘Good’ overall, with Good ratings across four of the five domains. It’s one of the largest maternity units in the country, with more than 8,000 babies a year born at Queen’s Hospital. Inspectors highlighted “strong leadership throughout” and said that “a determination for ongoing improvement was evident.” There was further praise for our community team particularly, and their offering of flexible evening and weekend appointments and better continuity of care for expectant mothers.

Medical Care (including nine of our specialties, such as stroke, respiratory medicine and neuroscience) is also now rated ‘Good’ overall. The inspectors said there was “a demonstrable, palpable drive to improve the working culture of the hospital through engagement strategies and open and honest communication about how to meet increasingly challenging demand.”

Some outstanding practice was identified in how our nurses were being supported to tackle staffing capacity issues, and the teams’ commitment to using research to improve care.

The new ‘Use of Resources’ assessment element of the report is based on an assessment undertaken by NHS Improvement. It considers how productively trusts are using their resources (financial and otherwise). We returned an ‘Inadequate’ rating – a reflection of the financial difficulties that were identified last October. That led to our Trust being placed in financial special measures earlier this year.

We retain the overall ‘Requires Improvement’ rating from the CQC, as the targeted inspection was of only four services, so an overall rating change was not possible as a result of the inspection.

Joe Fielder, Chair at our Trust, said: “I am very grateful that the Care Quality Commission has recognised the significant improvements that have been made at our Trust.  I and everyone at our Trust are keen to see this good work continue and I would like to thank our partners for all their support as we strive to achieve our vision of providing outstanding care for our patients”.

Matthew Hopkins, Chief Executive at our Trust, added: “While it has been a difficult period for our Trust, and for the NHS as a whole, I am really pleased that this report captures some of the excellent work being delivered by our staff every day. To have three of four services – Surgery, Maternity and Medical Care – improve their ratings is extremely pleasing.

“It shows we are maintaining and sustaining the improvements our staff have made, with the help of our patients, partners and key stakeholders, and we remain committed to continuing our journey towards outstanding.

“The report identifies some issues which we are already aware of. We are working to resolve – such as the continuing challenges presented by our vacancy rates for medical and nursing colleagues. We also take on board the points raised about recent instability within the trust’s leadership, which we are also tackling.

“While this inspection only focused on four services, the picture it paints reflects progress across our Trust, ensuring patients are at the centre of everything we do, and we will continue to ensure that this is the case.”

Kathryn Halford OBE, Chief Nurse, said: “I am pleased that this report shows our continued progress, and that the commitment of our staff to provide high quality care shines though, as reflected by our improved ratings.

“It is very encouraging to hear that patients say we treat them with dignity and respect, that we involve them in their care, and provide emotional support. These are things to be proud of.

“We are particularly pleased that many of the very positive things identified by the CQC are equally applicable to other areas of our Trust which were not inspected this time. I have already written to the CQC asking them to return as soon as they can, so as to gauge the progress we believe we continue to make in every area of our Trust.”