England's Chief Inspector of Hospitals has recommended that Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust exits special measures following a Care Quality Commission inspection.
The trust was placed into special measures following a review by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh in 2013. While some improvements were found at subsequent CQC inspections, it was rated Inadequate overall following an inspection in June 2015 and CQC recommended that the trust should receive the support of the special measures regime for longer.
However, when CQC returned in July 2016, to carry out a focused inspection, the work that had been done to improve services was seen to be making a difference.
As a result, the trust is now rated as Requires Improvement overall, Good for being safe and Requires Improvement for being well-led. Previously it was judged to be Inadequate overall as well as for being safe and well-led. Professor Sir Mike Richards is recommending the trust should exit special measures.
Professor Sir Mike Richards, CQC’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said:
“We returned to Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to check on the trust’s progress with areas we highlighted for improvement following our previous inspection in June 2015. Inspectors found sufficient improvement had taken place for the trust’s overall rating to change from Inadequate to Requires Improvement.
“It also means I am now in a position to make a recommendation to NHS Improvement to say the trust should come out of special measures.
“Special measures is designed to provide intensive support to struggling trusts and Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust clearly gained from the special measures regime and the support it provided.
“During our inspection we found that wards and clinical areas were clean and there were systems to monitor and manage the risk of the spread of infection. There were systems to ensure records, medicines management and maintenance of equipment was given priority.
“Although we saw high numbers of nursing staff vacancies on medical wards the number of staff was found to be appropriate to ensure the needs of patients were met. We also found that, since our last inspection, the outpatient service had made significant improvements. Most notably improvement had taken place with regard to the review of patient outcomes and reducing the number of overdue appointments. However, inspectors found some concerns regarding staffing and booking arrangements for ophthalmology outpatient clinics.
“Overall we found that patient care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with best practice.
“The trust’s staff and leadership should be proud of their achievement so far and they know what to do now to ensure further improvement takes place. We will continue to monitor the trust and this will include further inspections.”
Inspectors found examples of outstanding practice at the trust, which included:
- The trust demonstrated significant improvements in the management of the deteriorating patient and treatment of sepsis. Staff identified and responded appropriately to changing risks to patients. Where patients met the trust criteria for sepsis screening, they were being appropriately screened.
- A medical care pathway that had been implemented for patients with a minor orthopaedic injuries, who also had other conditions or diseases, was seen to be working positively.
However, there were areas where the trust has been told it must make improvements including:
- Ensuring staff understand the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in relation to their roles and responsibilities.
This inspection focused on looking at the safety and effectiveness of emergency and urgent care services and the safety of maternity and outpatient services at Kings Mill and Newark Hospitals.
Full reports including ratings of all core services are available on this website.