23.07.14
Burton NHS Foundation Trust to remain in special measures
Burton NHS Foundation Trust has been told by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) that it should remain in special measures for at least a further six months.
Following an inspection at the trust’s three hospitals – Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital and Queen’s Hospital – the CQC rated services from ‘Good’ to ‘Requires Improvement’.
Last year the trust was placed into special measures by Sir Bruce Keogh, following an inspection by his team which raised concerns about mortality rates and standards of care.
Overall the trust was rated as ‘Requires Improvement’, and it has been told it must make improvements to ensure that all staff are appropriately trained; staffing levels in areas where standards are not met and concerns have been raised by CQC are reviewed; children’s services are reviewed; and action is taken regarding the findings of a recent records audit, which highlighted gaps in records relating to children.
In response to the report, the trust stated that all the outstanding CQC actions will be completed by the autumn. Helen Ashley, chief executive at Burton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We recognise our services can always further improve and we will have completed all the improvements by the autumn.”
The CQC inspectors did, however, see some areas of ‘very good’ practice at the trust including maternity services, which were recognised as providing excellent care. The trust was also seen to be caring and people using the service spoke highly of the staff and said they had been well looked after.
Ashely added: “In the last 12 months staff have all demonstrated exceptional commitment, compassion and hard work and I look forward to continuing to work alongside our staff in all three hospitals, to deliver compassionate, safe, high quality, professional care to every patient who visits our hospitals.”
Professor Sir Mike Richards, CQC’s chief inspector of hospitals, stated that improvements had been made at the trust, but clearly the trust still has some way to go before it reaches the required standard.
“That is why I have recommended to Monitor that the trust remains in special measures for a further six months,” he said. “I hope that, in six-month’s time, the trust will be able to demonstrate enough improvement to review this again.”
(Photo: PA Archive)
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