08.08.17
Struggling special measures trust still failing to improve care
A trust currently in special measures has been placed under even more pressure after CQC inspectors found that improvements to care had not been made since their last visit.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAH) was placed in special measures in December 2015, but an inspection in April this year found that problems were still rife – and the trust was once again slapped with an ‘inadequate’ rating.
The provider had its special measures status extended in June after inspectors warned at the start of the year that it could face administration if improvements were not urgently delivered.
Before that, the trust had also come under serious criticism when it was revealed that two patients had died while waiting on trolleys in corridors over Christmas and New Year.
During their latest visit, CQC inspectors looked at previous areas of concern including the emergency department, medical care, surgery, maternity and gynaecology at the trust’s hospitals – Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Alexandra Hospital and Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment centre.
A warning notice has now been issued to WAH to urgently improve care as its hospitals were deemed ‘inadequate’ for safety and ‘requires improvement’ in terms of effectiveness. WAH was found to be ‘good’ for being caring, however.
“Over the last two years WAH has been subject to rigorous and frequent regulatory action,” said Professor Ted Baker, chief inspector of hospitals at the CQC.
“I remain concerned that the trust has not taken sufficient action to address the requirements of our previous inspections, and patients using services continue to experience a poor level of care."
Prof Baker added that in recent inspections the CQC found there was little effective ownership of the need to establish systems to assess the quality of services or to recognise, assess and mitigate risks to patient safety.
“The new executive team are recently established and are aware they face significant challenges,” he explained. “It is important that they drive the necessary improvements to the safety and quality of patient care, with continued support from NHS Improvement and others.
“It is also clear that some of the issues the trust is struggling with can only be addressed in partnership with other agencies who have a responsibility for health services in the area.”
WAH’s chief executive, Michelle McKay, commented that the trust was disappointed with the CQC’s report but that it fully accepted the shortfalls the inspectorate identified in its focused inspection in April.
“I am sorry the trust did not make all the necessary improvements in that period and have continued to let down our patients, their families and carers by not meeting the quality standards they rightly expect,” she continued.
“We want all our patients to get the best care possible and regret that this isn't always happening but we’re determined to put things right.”
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