02.03.18
Struggling Tyneside trust shows improvements following new partnership
The CQC has highlighted improvements at the troubled South Tyneside NHS FT today, following its partnership with a neighbouring trust.
While services remain rated as ‘requires improvement’, the regulator said it had found that the trust was actively developing in a number of areas, specifically in relation to the responsiveness of its services, since its last inspection in 2015.
Inspectors found that the trust should be rated ‘requires improvement’ for four out of its five categories – for providing care that is safe, effective and well-led – although it received an ‘outstanding’ rating for being caring.
In addition, the CQC reported that staff were found to be “exceptionally caring”, which was reflected in interactions between themselves and patients.
South Tyneside developed the South Tyneside and Sunderland Healthcare Group between itself and City Hospitals Sunderland NHS FT in order to improve services and learn from one another. The two now have a single executive team which works across both organisations.
“Inspectors found improvements in the responsiveness of services provided at South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust on their return, which is good news for the people using them,” commented Ellen Armistead, deputy chief inspector of hospitals.
“Since our previous inspection South Tyneside formed a partnership with a neighbouring NHS trust and established the South Tyneside and Sunderland Healthcare Group. This means they now have a single management team across both trusts, and the same senior leadership.
“The team inherited some significant challenges across many services and although the trust had taken action to address some of those issues, executive leaders acknowledged there was still more to do. For example, there needs to be more engagement with staff who feel uncertain about the trust’s structural changes and what it means for them.
“The trust needs to make sure that staff feel empowered to help drive forward the improvements they want to deliver.”
In terms of improvements, inspectors pointed out 10 areas where regulations had been breached, including mental health services in urgent and emergency care, and risk management in critical services.
Trust chief executive, Ken Bremner, praised staff for the positive changes made so far, but said there was still much more to be done.
He explained: “Today’s CQC report recognises the tremendous efforts of our staff and shows where, with focused efforts, the right support and positive local leadership, we have been able to make some significant improvements over the past year to benefit our patients.
“It is very reassuring to see that once again our staff have been rated as ‘outstanding’ for providing kind and compassionate care and that people feel proud to work for us. This gives us a very positive platform from which we can now build and continue to improve the safety and quality of our services overall.
“It is important that we celebrate these ‘good’ examples of positive leadership within individual teams and departments and that we share these right across all areas of our trust so that we can truly aim to be amongst the best in the NHS.”
The inspection took place between October and December of last year, following on from the previous comprehensive report from 2015.
Top image: Marbury
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