08.08.14
Hospital trust has ‘a great deal work to do’ if it is to improve
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust ‘requires improvement’, CQC inspectors have announced.
That overall rating was given because the trust’s safety, responsiveness and leadership all require improvement, although its effectiveness and caring were rated ‘good’.
Chief Inspector of Hospitals Professor Sir Mike Richards, said: “When we inspected the services run by Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, we found that – across the board – staff were working hard to deliver compassionate care to people using trust services.
“We found, however, that improvements were required in a number of areas. I know that there is a significant change programme underway, and we saw that senior managers have a clear understanding of the challenges facing the trust. While the new hospital buildings may in time resolve some of the infrastructure issues, these will not rectify the cultural issues that some staff told us about. The trust must focus on these issues as a matter of priority over the coming months.
“We were very pleased at the enthusiasm and openness our inspection received from the trust and its staff. We will return in due course to check that the improvements we have requested have been made.”
Head of Hospital Inspection, Mary Cridge, who led the inspection team said: “Our inspection found that this was a trust that was tackling some difficult issues with energy and focus. The trust was aware of its challenges and had clear and credible plans in place. Although there is a great deal of work to be done to make the improvements that are needed they have already come a long way. Staff are proud of the services they are providing for their patients and patients are receiving care, treatment and support that achieves good outcomes.”
The inspection team made an announced visit in May, followed up with an unannounced visit in June. CQC inspectors will return to the hospital “in due course” to check that the remaining improvements required have been made.
The full report and recommendations is here.
(Library image shows David Cameron on a visit to the cardiac ward of the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton. Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
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