02.03.12
Morecombe Bay announces recovery plan
Sir David Henshaw, who has been parachuted into the struggling Morecombe Bay NHS trust to help it improve care, has revealed a ‘recovery plan’ to deal with the issues raised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The trust has been criticised for failings in a number of areas, including maternity and emergency care. Following investigations, the trust’s chief executive Tony Halsall resigned last week.
Sir David, a former chief executive of Liverpool and Knowsley councils, and who has NHS experience as chair of Aldey Hey and of NHS North West, was appointed by foundation trust regulator Monitor to turn things around.
Detectives are currently investigating deaths at the baby unit. Changes to improve trust performance include a project to improve end-of-life care and the implementation of a new system of appointment to deal with backlog.
A mobile operating theatre has also been opened at Royal Lancaster Hospital for extra emergency patient beds.
Sir David said the investigations by the CQC and Monitor had made the trust “aware of a number of problems, including staff shortages and other areas of concern about care related to assessment, observation, record keeping and privacy and dignity”.
He said the level of care, safety and experience that investigators recently identified had been “completely unacceptable” but also said: “Day in, day out our staff treat the majority of patients with a high level of care and professionalism and we appreciate the support and goodwill of our staff, which has been considerable.”
A CQC spokeswoman said it welcomed any action “towards full compliance”.
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Image c. Liverpool John Moores University