Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has welcomed the Care Quality Commission (CQC)’s latest report after months of work to improve care in the emergency department at Stepping Hill Hospital.
Trust staff were very disappointed by the outcome of the CQC’s inspection that took place in January and February 2020 – at the height of winter pressures - when inspectors found care that the organisation apologised for.
The inspectors returned to the emergency department in August, and today (27th October) they have published the report of that visit, highlighting that all areas inspected have shown significant improvements and the Trust is fully complying with all the actions required by the CQC.
Louise Robson, Chief Executive, said: “When the inspectors came at the beginning of the year they found care that was not of the standard that our staff wanted to provide to patients. We took immediate action to address the concerns raised by the CQC, and it is good to see the outcome of those actions now being recognised. But perhaps more importantly the improvements we have made are appreciated by patients who need emergency care.
“When CQC inspectors returned in August they commented that they had expected to see improvements, but they were particularly surprised to see the positive changes in team culture that we had achieved over a relatively short period of time.”
Mrs Robson added: “The latest CQC report is testament to the huge amount of work the emergency team has carried out over the last few months, but the improvements could not have been achieved without the support of staff right across the Trust, for example, improving patient flow through the hospital which gave the department the opportunity to focus on making lasting changes.”
Since the CQC visit in January and February 2020 the Trust has changed the leadership of the emergency department, successfully recruited a number of nursing and clinical staff to the team, and strengthened staff training, particularly around the care of patients with mental health issues with the development of a mental health training passport. The emergency team also has more improvements in train, including the creation of a unique dementia friendly environment in the department.
The inspection carried out in January and February 2020 raised issues that needed all health and care partners across Stockport to address, and it resulted in the creation of Stockport System Improvement Board. It has brought together partners from the local authority, mental health services, commissioners, regulators and the Trust, who are continuing to work together to jointly improve care for local communities.
The latest report can be read on the link below
CQC Inspection report - Stepping Hill Hospital - published 27/10/2020