Hospital trust rated ‘good’ taken out of special measures

The Care Quality Commission has recommended that Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust be taken out of special measures after rating it‘ good’ in its latest Quality Report.

Following a formal re-inspection in May, the report confirmed the trust’ s services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led, rating it ‘good’ in all five of these domains.

Inspectors found staff were caring and compassionate, systems and processes were working well in most areas, and medical and surgical patients were receiving treatment within the expected timescales.

They saw several examples of outstanding practice, including the employment of an admiral nurse to support the relatives and carers of people living with dementia and provide additional support to staff.

She is one of only five admiral nurses in acute trusts in England.

Lance McCarthy, Hinch- ingbrooke Hospital chief executive, said: “I’m delighted the CQC has recognised the significant improvements we have made since going in to special measures in January 2015.

“The report reflects our progress and achievements since then and the commitment of our staff to providing high-quality care for all of our patients and residents of Huntingdonshire.

“To come out of special measures and be rated‘ good’ overall is testament to the hard work, compassion and care of all of our staff.

“The C QC noted a number of improvements that could be made which we are already in the process of addressing as westrive to move from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’.”

The board of governor sat trust have already agreed to a merger with the Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

A full business case is currently being compiled with the merger set to begin in April 2017.