‘Good’ rating for surgery at hospital after inspection

CQC INSPECTORS have rated surgery at Nuneaton’s hospital as ‘good’.

It was the only area they managed to inspect at the George Eliot Hospital as the remainder of the inspection to all other core services had to be abandoned due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the ‘good’ rating for surgery, the Eliot’s overall rating remains as ‘requires improvement’.

However, bosses at the hospital said the latest report was an example of how improvements are being made at the Eliot. Glen Burley, Chief Executive of George Eliot Hospital said: “This report is testament to the hard work and dedication of our Surgery service and also indicates the wider improvement that is happening at the Trust. Our commitment to providing high quality, safe services comes through strongly in the inspectors’ findings.

“However, there is more to do and we will make progress towards reducing the time people have to wait to use our services. Our new modular ward arrived on site last week and is on schedule to open as a dedicated surgical ward in September.

“We are also working with our partners across the health system in Warwickshire to embed and maintain the innovation we put in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This includes closer working with our colleagues in primary care, and using communication technology to reduce the need for patients to have to visit our site for their care.”

Surgery staff were praised for treating patients with compassion and kindness and for respecting their privacy and dignity while taking account of their individual needs.

They also noted that the staff also supported and involved patients, families and carers to understand their condition and make decisions about their care and treatment.

The inspectors said that the surgery service managed safety incidents well and learned from them collecting information and using it to improve services.

It also drew praise for working well together for the benefit of patients, advising them on how to lead healthier lives and using effective teamwork to deliver services that met individual patients’ needs.

Inspectors also noted that staff felt respected, supported and valued understanding the service’s vision and remaining focussed on the needs of patients receiving care.

News about the CQC inspection results come as the hospital announced a key way in which it aims to tackle the waiting times for surgery.

Work has started on a new bespoke modular ward, which should be open by September.

As the Eliot continues the battle against coronavirus, it is trying to restore some services which had been temporarily suspended.