Chief Inspector of Hospitals finds significant improvements at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

England's Chief Inspector of Hospitals has welcomed improvements in the quality of services provided by the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Inspectors had identified six areas for improvement following an inspection of Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital in November 2013 under the Care Quality Commission's in depth inspection programme. 

A further unannounced inspection which took place in June and July 2014 has concluded that the trust has met the requirements in five areas.

Inspectors found that staff numbers had been increased and staff were being better supported by improved training. Infection control policies were more robust and improvements had been made to care planning.

There was a system in place to ensure that the emergency department had access to medication at all times, and the A&E observation room was no longer being used for overnight stays.

However, inspectors found that further work was needed to ensure appropriate risk assessments were undertaken regarding the numbers and layout of beds in the Heart and Emergency Centre.

The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust was one of the first 18 trusts to be inspected under CQC's new approach.

The full report is available here.

CQC's Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said:

"Our inspection last year highlighted a number of areas for improvement and I am very pleased that our recent follow up has found that significant progress has been made. I am confident that this will lead to a better service for patients. 

"We have made it clear to the trust that further work is still needed to improve its risk management processes.

"The challenge now is for the trust to continue its work to make further changes where needed, and ensure that the improvements made so far are fully embedded and sustained for the future.

"Our inspectors will return to the hospital in due course to check that the remaining improvements required have been made."

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