Staff praised as hospital rated ‘good’ in report
Coventry hospital has been rated good in its latest CQC report
THE head of a Coventry hospital has praised ‘huge efforts’ from staff as a report outlining major improvements is published.
University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) has been rated ‘good’ in its latest CQC report - a step up from the ‘requires improvement’ rating it was given in previous inspections in 2015 and 2018.
Chief executive Andy Hardy said the improved rating represents years of hard work and dedication by staff. But he added that the trust isn’t about to rest on its laurels, and is aiming to become ‘outstanding’ - the top rating offered by CQC - in future.
The report lists examples of outstanding practice at the trust, including in critical care and maternity. This is particularly gratifying for the hospital, as these two departments were singled out as requiring improvements in the 2018 report.
The overall rating for UHCW was good, with both University Hospital in Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry and Rugby’s St Cross Hospital also separately receiving overall ‘good’ ratings.
The CQC then rates individual areas of the trust. For being safe, effective, caring and well-led, UHCW was given a ‘good’ rating.
For being responsive and using resources productively it was rated ‘requires improvement.’
The report outlines innovative schemes at the hospital which it recognised as being outstanding practice.
Management and staff training in critical care was deemed to be ‘exceptional,’ with the report adding: “There was evidence of leaders supporting quality improvement initiatives and protecting staff time to enable them to develop personal projects.”
In maternity, the report pointed to the Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, which opened in April 2016, noting that ‘staff were extremely proud of the research they undertook.’
There is also a clinic called INSPIRE, which helps women who have suffered female genital mutilation (FGM) in assessing and supporting women in deciding on their preferred mode of delivery.
Inspectors found three breaches of legal requirements which it has told the trust to put right. These all related to the neurosurgery unit.
The CQC has issued requirement notices for these, and it will check that action has been taken to improve this service.
Mr Hardy said he and staff are ‘delighted’ with the report.
He added: “All core services have been rated good, and all have showed improvement in what has been difficult conditions.
“It’s great to see. I would like to thank people who work day in, day out the last few years. They have been working really hard on consistent improvement.
“One thing that stands out is that all staff the CQC spoke to said yes, we have improved, but we want to be even better. I can’t praise people highly enough.”
He echoed the pledge for further improvements.
“We are really pleased to be here, but we won’t stop until we are outstanding.”
Stella Manzie DBE, chairman of the trust’s board of directors, said the rating was ‘an important milestone.’
She added: “Being recognised as Good by the CQC across both University Hospital and the Hospital of St Cross is affirmation of the amazing work carried out by our caring and committed staff and the positive impact of our ongoing UHCWi Programme.
“I would like to pay tribute to my colleagues on the board for the leadership they have provided.
“Whilst the report contains a great number of positives, there is still room for improvement and we will continue working on every aspect of the trust’s services and with our partners across Coventry and Warwickshire to strengthen the Health and Social Care system as a whole.
“We would like to thank everyone who works for the trust for the pride and expertise they continue to show in providing the best care possible.”