The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found improvements at Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust following its latest inspection, although there are areas that require further attention and progress.
A team of inspectors from CQC visited Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in April 2019 to follow up on the concerns identified in a Warning Notice served in August 2018, following an inspection of the trust’s surgical services.
The warning notice highlighted the following:
- Staff did not always follow systems designed to prevent and control infection.
- Policies and procedures were not always followed in relation to the management of medicines.
- Arrangements to assess, monitor and improve the quality of services provided to patients were not always operated effectively.
- There were inadequate processes to ensure the premises were properly maintained.
- Systems to ensure staff received appropriate support, training, professional development, supervision and appraisal were not operated effectively.
This latest focused inspection by CQC has found that the trust had met the specific requirements of the Warning Notice. However, there was still more work to do to embed changes and other issues were identified.
Dr Nigel Acheson, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals in the South said:
“It is clear the trust has worked to produce improvements required from the Warning Notice issued last year.
"Change was ongoing and there were new managerial staff and improved systems, which were making a difference. However, change, particularly around culture was not yet fully embedded. Storage of medicines had improved but some concerns remained. The trust leadership group was aware further work was needed.
“We found improved staffing levels, although still a high use of agency staff. There were better systems to manage patient safety and strengthen the management of risk. Training had improved as had the environment and checking of equipment. The culture in theatres was improving, but more work was needed to get this right. There were some concerns raised on this visit around poor infection control practice and a lack of challenge to poor practice of senior staff.
“Nevertheless, the trust must continue the good work it has started, and we will continue to monitor services closely and return in the future to check on progress.”
Ends
For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager, John Scott on 0778 9875809 or, for media enquiries, call the press office on 020 7448 9401
during office hours.
Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here www.cqc.org.uk/media/our-media-office (Please note: the duty press officer is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters). For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61