30.08.18
Foundation trust jumps from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘outstanding’ CQC rating in just two years
A London foundation trust which was rated ‘requires improvement’ just two years ago has jumped up to ‘outstanding’ following a positive visit from the health inspectorate.
Kingston Hospital NHS FT was given the rating by the CQC following its latest inspection in May and June 2018, after being deemed to require improvement a mere 25 months ago.
CQC inspectors found that the trust was ‘outstanding’ for being well-led (the first acute trust in the London region to do so) and caring, and was rated ‘good’ for being safe, effective, and responsive.
The report went on to say that the trust staff treated patients with dignity, kindness, and compassion— and noted that workers “treated patients as partners in their care.”
In terms of the trust’s leadership, Kingston’s governance and culture was used to drive and improve the deliver of high-quality and person-centred care. This is a major improvement compared to the CQC’s report in July 2016 that noted improvements needed to be made to “ensure the management, governance, and culture in the emergency department (ED) supports the delivery of high-quality care.”
However, there were some areas where the trust should improve— including increasing the numbers of medical staff in the ED, particularly middle grade doctors, and improving the rates of mandatory training completion for both medical and nursing staff.
Inspectors also noted that, on medical care wards, management should continue to develop services towards full seven days per week availability, particularly for diagnostic tests.
CQC chief inspector of hospitals Professor Ted Baker said he was particularly impressed with the way the trust cared for patients with dementia with the use of purpose-built dementia-friendly cubicles.
He said: “There has been much improvement at Kingston Hospital NHS FT and the staff and leadership team deserve praise and congratulations for the care being provided to patients.
“The trust should be proud to be the first acute trust in the London region to receive an outstanding rating for being well-led.”
Kingston Hospital NHS FT’s chief executive, Ann Radmore, said they were “absolutely delighted” with the findings, stating: “The inspectors clearly recognised the total dedication and caring commitment of our staff, and the outstanding work they do each and every day to ensure safety and quality.
“Two years ago, in our last inspection, we were rated as requires improvement - so to have gone from that to outstanding is a clear indication of what a united workforce with a common goal can do.”
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