Hospital trust breaks free from special measures after 4 years
AHOSPITAL trust is to come out of special measures for the first time in four years after health inspectors reported “significant improvements”.
The Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which includes Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital and the Worcestershire Royal, was previously rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission and placed in special measures in December 2015.
The Trust had previously been rapped by inspectors for routinely treating patients in the corridors of its crowded A&E departments.
It had also previously been criticised for its financial decision-making and the management of its hospitals.
But following inspections in May and June, chief CQC inspector Ted Baker has recommended that the Trust can exit special measures once an NHS England improvement plan is agreed.
He said: “Staff and leaders at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals can be proud of the progress achieved. Our inspectors saw good and improved practice across the Trust.
“At Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre, most concerns we previously raised had been addressed, particularly in the hospital’s surgery services. Staff were well qualified, working in appropriate premises and treated patents with empathy and respect.
“At the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, we also saw progress. The hospital’s outpatient services – which include a fracture clinic and cardiac rehabilitation service – supported patients to make informed decisions about their care. It planned services effectively to meet local people’s needs,.
“We also saw examples of outstanding practice in the hospital’s diagnostic imaging, where staff TRUST chief Matthew Hopkins said the inspectors’ report offered “a clear and very encouraging sign that our efforts are paying off”.
He said: “When I joined the Trust at the start of this year, I was struck by the quality and the commitment of colleagues across our hospitals.
“It is their focus on continuous improvement, and their growing confidence in their ability to tackle the challenges we face, that has made the difference. “Today we have taken a really important step forward. We know we have a lot more to do, but these improved ratings are a clear and very encouraging sign that our efforts are paying off.
“That is good news for our patients, good news for our staff and good news for everyone in the communities we care for.” delivered excellent care based on people’s individual needs.
“However, work was required to ensure people always had timely access to the right care, including emergency care at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.”
Mr Baker said some staff “needed safeguarding and infection protection training”, adding: “Staffing levels in some departments were not always adequate. Leaders were implementing improvement strategies, but these plans needed more time to take full effect.”
The Trust has now been rated “good” for being effective and caring, and “requires improvement” overall.
It has been told it must still improve staffing, ambulance handover times, infection control guidelines and ensure cancer patients receive their first treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral.