News

Another Keogh Review FT to exit special measures

The Medway NHS FT has been recommended to come out of special measures after the chief inspector of hospitals at the CQC, Sir Mike Richards, found significant improvements in care practices.

The Kent Medway Maritime hospital, which was once rated as one of the worst in the country, was originally placed in special measures in July 2013 after Sir Bruce Keogh’s review of hospitals with higher than average mortality rates.

The news comes just a few months after Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS FT, another provider placed in special measures after the Keogh Review, had shown substantial improvements to services.

Though there is still work to be done, the news marks a major step forward for the trust after it was kept in special measures with care levels that were described as “extremely concerning” by the CQC at the start of last year.

“I am very pleased to report that since our last inspection we have found good evidence that the trust is making steady progress,” said Sir Mike. “Two years ago, we rated the trust as inadequate overall because of concerns relating to patient safety, the organisational culture and governance throughout the trust.

“Since that time we have been keeping a close watch, with support from the local clinical commissioning groups and NHS Improvement (NHSI).”

He added that he had “no doubt” the additional support from Guys’ and St Thomas’ NHS FT had helped the trust to address the shortcomings that have been identified, but much of the credit must go to the new leadership team at the Medway hospital and to the commitment and hard work of staff.

“There is no doubt that substantial improvements have been made. The leadership team is now fully established and there is a strong sense of forward momentum. That strong leadership and clear communication are leading to a workforce who are now much better engaged and whose morale is now much higher,” explained Sir Mike.

“There are a number of areas where we have identified poor practice and that require attention. We will return later this year to check: I will be disappointed if we find that the trust has not continued to make further progress.”

NHSI executive medical director Dr Kathy Mclean also praised the trust for its improvements.

“Staff should be immensely proud of this news. Exiting special measures is a significant achievement and reflects a better experience for patients” she said. “It is the result of extremely hard work by everyone right across the trust from ward staff, clinicians, admin and support teams, and the trust’s leadership team.

“We’ve been clear there is much work still to do to improve performance and restore financial balance, but patients should be confident that the trust has a robust base on which to build, as it moves towards realising its ambition of improving its overall rating from inadequate to good.”

Chief executive of the foundation trust, Lesley Dwyer, said the decision was “wonderful news” and “a great tribute to our dedicated staff and the fantastic job they do day in, day out”, adding that her workforce are “the best of people, working hard to deliver the best of care”.

“We would also like to thank our colleagues at Guy’s and St Thomas’ FT with whom we have had a special relationship through our successful buddying arrangement,” she said. “Their support has been critical to our improvement and we look forward to continuing an enduring partnership with them.”

Dwyer accepted that there was work to do and that areas that needed improvement – such as staffing levels, condition of the estate, the use of mixed sex accommodation and training rates – were not surprising, but that progress was already being made in these areas.

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