01.10.10
Devon NHS Partnership Trust told to improve by CQC
The Care Quality Commission has told the Devon NHS Partnership Trust to improve its operations or face formal enforcement action.
Ian Biggs, Regional Director of CQC in the South West said: “In taking any kind of enforcement action our main consideration is the need to drive improvements which will benefit people who use services.
“We know that the problems over the inappropriate use of medicines in the Harbourne Unit stemmed from a history of inadequate supervision of staff, which allowed years of poor practice to go unchallenged. It was only when concerns were raised in 2008 that the trust managers intervened.
“If doctors and nurses aren't being properly supervised and supported, this can have a significant effect on the quality of care that people experience.
“Throughout this report, we have identified many different ways in which Devon’s services for older people have improved recently. It is clear that the staff have made real progress in a wide range of areas, from management of medicines to layout of wards facilities as well as day-to-day care.
“For this reason it is all the more disappointing that the trust has not taken the action which all agreed was required at the time of registration in April.
“We are now giving notice to the trust, as well as to the South West strategic health authority and to NHS Devon who commission their services, that we are on the verge of legal enforcement action. It is a decision we do not reach lightly.”
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