10.06.15
South Tees struck by regulatory double team
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been hit by a regulatory double team today as both the CQC and Monitor take action.
First up the CQC released its most recent report of the trust, rating it as ‘requires improvement’. While inspectors found services to be caring, responsive and well-led, it required improvement for providing safe and effective care.
A team of 45 inspectors visited James Cook University Hospital, the Friarage Hospital and a range of community health services provided by the trust in December.
CQC rated both acute hospitals as Requires Improvement overall. End of life care at both hospitals was rated as Requires Improvement but all other core services were rated as Good.
Concerns were raised around staffing shortages that could affect patient care. The trust said this continues to be a key area of priority and improvements have already been made since the visit.
The chief inspector of hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said: “People are entitled to receive treatment and care in services which are consistently safe, effective, caring and responsive to their needs. The trust has told us they have listened to our inspectors’ findings and have begun to take action where it is required. We will return in due course to check that the improvements needed have been made.”
Following on from the CQC, Monitor also announced it was stepping up its regulatory action at the trust following a rise in the number of patients picking up infections in hospital.
South Tees is to receive expert help to develop and implement an improved plan to cut rates of C.difficile infection.
Monitor found that the trust failed to act quickly enough to reduce the number of infections that patients acquire in its hospitals.
The trust’s leadership will have to report back to Monitor on a monthly basis and make sure that the improvements are sustainable.
The regulator also took action in July last year over a range of issues including C.difficile infections, financial sustainability, and the way the trust’s Board was functioning.
Paul Chandler, regional director at Monitor, said: “The number of patients picking up infections in the trust’s hospitals has risen and we have taken further action to make sure the trust responds swiftly.
“The trust will get expert help to draw up and implement a plan for reducing the number of infections and make sustainable improvements for its patients.”
South Tees chief executive, Professor Tricia Hart, said: “This is a top priority for the organisation and, like us, Monitor remains concerned about our rate of clostridium difficile infection.
“We know that infection prevention needs consistent and constant focus in key areas such as hand hygiene, cleaning, prompt isolation of patients and appropriate antibiotic prescribing. We are committed to continuing to address this key patient safety and turn this around.”
(Image source: Mick Garratt)
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