CQC acknowledges improvements at scandal-hit hospital
13:10 - 22/07/2010
CQC acknowledges improvements at scan...
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has reported that significant progress is being made at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and, despite warning that further improvements are still needed, it announced that it would lift five of the six conditions imposed on its registration.
The trust, which came under investigation in March 2009, has improved standards of care and is listening and responding to patient concerns, according to the CQC. The regulator published a review stating that mortality rates have declined, there are more nurses on the wards and patients are feeling more positive about their care.
This is the third review of the hospital’s progress to be published, with previous reports being issued in July and December 2009. As part of this recent review, the CQC conducted unannounced inspection visits during March and April, observed clinical care, interviewed over 50 patients and spoke with staff, local patient groups and other NHS bodies.
When the CQC introduced its new system of registration in April this year, Mid Staffordshire was found not to be meeting the required standards of quality and safety. They were registered but had to commit to making improvements under six different conditions within strict deadlines.
Five of the conditions imposed on the trust have now been lifted. These related to staffing levels, the monitoring of care, staff training, managing patients in A&E;and maintenance of medical equipment. The sixth condition, which still remains, relates to supporting workers through effective supervision and appraisal. The CQC will assess compliance with this condition during August.
Andrea Gordon, CQC regional director in the West Midlands, said: “This is a very different trust to the one we saw a year ago. There is a culture of openness and accountability. Safety is very squarely at the top of the agenda and patients have the opportunity to take concerns directly to the board.
“But there is still a lot to be done. [...] It’s almost there, but almost isn’t good enough. We also want to see further improvements in A&E;, specifically an improvement in managing the time that patients wait in A&E;.”
Charlotte Potter, Head of Quality and Curriculum at First Response Training, says: “Regular staff training in the appropriate areas can make a significant difference to the quality of care provided by health and social care services. It will also help to ensure the safety of patients and service users.
“We offer a diverse range of training for the health and social care sector, from the mandatory training courses to more specialist subjects for the professional development of care workers. All of our courses are mapped to Skills for Care Common Induction Standards and have links to NVQ Level 2. They are ideal for anyone working in a care environment and aiming to meet national care standards.”
For further information please call us today.
The trust, which came under investigation in March 2009, has improved standards of care and is listening and responding to patient concerns, according to the CQC. The regulator published a review stating that mortality rates have declined, there are more nurses on the wards and patients are feeling more positive about their care.
This is the third review of the hospital’s progress to be published, with previous reports being issued in July and December 2009. As part of this recent review, the CQC conducted unannounced inspection visits during March and April, observed clinical care, interviewed over 50 patients and spoke with staff, local patient groups and other NHS bodies.
When the CQC introduced its new system of registration in April this year, Mid Staffordshire was found not to be meeting the required standards of quality and safety. They were registered but had to commit to making improvements under six different conditions within strict deadlines.
Five of the conditions imposed on the trust have now been lifted. These related to staffing levels, the monitoring of care, staff training, managing patients in A&E;and maintenance of medical equipment. The sixth condition, which still remains, relates to supporting workers through effective supervision and appraisal. The CQC will assess compliance with this condition during August.
Andrea Gordon, CQC regional director in the West Midlands, said: “This is a very different trust to the one we saw a year ago. There is a culture of openness and accountability. Safety is very squarely at the top of the agenda and patients have the opportunity to take concerns directly to the board.
“But there is still a lot to be done. [...] It’s almost there, but almost isn’t good enough. We also want to see further improvements in A&E;, specifically an improvement in managing the time that patients wait in A&E;.”
Charlotte Potter, Head of Quality and Curriculum at First Response Training, says: “Regular staff training in the appropriate areas can make a significant difference to the quality of care provided by health and social care services. It will also help to ensure the safety of patients and service users.
“We offer a diverse range of training for the health and social care sector, from the mandatory training courses to more specialist subjects for the professional development of care workers. All of our courses are mapped to Skills for Care Common Induction Standards and have links to NVQ Level 2. They are ideal for anyone working in a care environment and aiming to meet national care standards.”
For further information please call us today.
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