02.02.16
Merger hailed by Monitor as ‘a model for challenged trusts’
The merger of Frimley Park Hospital NHS FT and Heatherwood & Wexham Park NHS FT in October 2014 has helped Wexham Park Hospital become “the most impressive example of improvement” seen by the independent Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Sir Mike Richards.
NHS Improvement chief executive Jim Mackey has praised staff at the hospital for the “turnaround” they have achieved, and said what has been done should serve as a model for the rest of the NHS.
The CQC report into the hospital, published today, deems it ‘good’ overall, and says urgent and A&E services are ‘outstanding’, as is intensive care. It also achieved an ‘outstanding’ rating for being well-led, and in no areas did the hospital drop below ‘good’.
An inspection report published today by the Care Quality Commission rated the hospital as “good” overall and “outstanding” for critical care and emergency services. At the time of the merger, Heatherwood and Wexham Park was in special measures, but Monitor advised it would benefit from the outstanding leadership of its neighbouring trust.
Sir Mike Richards said in the report: “This report demonstrates that remarkable progress has been made since our previous inspection. Indeed this is undoubtedly the most impressive example of improvement that CQC has observed since our new approach to inspection started in September 2013.
“All the external stakeholders we spoke with as part of this inspection were very positive about the progress that has been made over the past year. These included Monitor, NHS England, local CCGs, local HealthWatch and the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. We heard from staff working at Wexham Park that the culture in the hospital had improved markedly with a greater degree of openness at all levels. Governance had been completely revised, major improvements had been made with regard to handling of complaints and incident reporting. The number of student nurses who have opted to stay at Wexham Park Hospital following qualification has increased substantially over the past year.
“Staff were much more positive about Wexham Park as a place to work than previously and a much higher proportion of staff would now recommend the hospital as a place to be treated. Key measures of performance such as the four-hour A&E target, cancer waiting times targets and referral to treatment targets have improved markedly.”
Mackey added: “The merger – supported by staff from the health regulator Monitor – will be studied by the NHS to see what lessons can be learned by other trusts in difficulties.”