09.05.11

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed feedback from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an unannounced review visit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH) in March 2011.

 Overall, the Trust is pleased with the outcome of the review and in particular with the feedback from patients. Comments such as ‘Staff are kind on this ward and sit with patients as long as it takes’ and ‘They don’t let you go home until they know you can cope’ are testament to the Trust’s guiding principle of excellent patient care.

However the Trust does acknowledge the improvements needed as identified in the report.

The visit focused on 6 key standards (‘Outcomes’) and how well Gloucestershire Royal Hospital was meeting them. The Trust will be responding to the CQC with a report identifying actions to achieve full compliance in the few areas where minor concerns were highlighted.

Children’s services in particular received glowing recommendations from parents and patients, and were found to meet all key standards, with staff described as ‘brilliant’ and ‘excellent’ professionals who put children and their relatives and carers at ease. As well as young patients receiving safe and appropriate care, multi-disciplinary working (particularly with regard to Safeguarding) was singled out for praise.

Safeguarding policies were in place throughout the service and were felt to be effective. At the time of the visit, 83% of staff had received safeguarding training. Due to natural staff turnover, a 100% figure will be almost impossible to attain, so the aim is to achieve a figure of 90%.

People throughout the service were supported to have a healthy and nutritious diet, with a good choice of food. The red tray system that identifies those needing support with feeding was felt to be a good measure, as was the records kept for meal and fluids consumption. However, the CQC recommended that greater care be applied to signage above beds to ensure that nutritional needs were clear.

The report identified some issues with regard to discharge summaries and advised that while the Trust currently had an action plan, the pace of progress could be improved to prevent delays to discharge.

Cleanliness and infection control measures were also assessed and wards described as ‘clean and hygenic’ by the inspectors, with robust procedures and training in place. The Trust is aware that some isolated areas require maintenance work and will be detailing action on this when they report back.

Dr Frank Harsent, Chief Executive said: “Overall, I am pleased with the findings of the CQC in its review of compliance and am particularly proud that the inspection team praised staff after observing so many instances of caring and supportive treatment of patients.”

“We will certainly be addressing every concern raised by the inspectors, however minor, to ensure we meet the standards identified.

“I am delighted that the whole team acknowledged the dignity and respect shown to patients receiving care and treatment in the Trust."

Responding to the report, Jan Stubbings, Chief Executive of NHS Gloucestershire, said:

“As a commissioner, it is good to see that this review highlights that people who use services at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital are safe. It is important that patients receive the highest quality of care at all times and we know that the Trust is focussed on making the improvements needed to enhance the patient experience further.”

Ends

For more information, please contact: Kate Jeal, Communications Specialist on 08454 223563 or Kate.Jeal@glos.nhs.uk

Notes to Editors

The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care services in England. All NHS Trusts are legally obligated to register with the CQC in order to operate and demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements to be able to continue to provide health care services.

A team of seven inspectors from the South West region of the CQC conducted the review in the course of two days and evenings. They visited several wards and departments, carrying out observations of practice and conducting interviews with staff, visitors and patients.