The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found some improvements at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust following an unannounced focused inspection in June 2017.
The trust was rated as inadequate following an inspection in November 2016 and placed into special measures in April 2017. CQC undertook this unannounced focused inspection to assess whether the quality of care at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital and Scunthorpe General Hospital had improved.
At this latest inspection, CQC looked at maternity, urgent & emergency services and the management and oversight of the outpatients service. The inspection reports can be found on our website.
The Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Ted Baker, said:
“Our latest inspection at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust has seen some improvements in the quality of services across Diana Princess of Wales Hospital and Scunthorpe General Hospital."
“Whilst we saw improvements had been made, particularly within maternity services, there is still work to be done. However, we know that the trust takes our concerns very seriously and we are working closely with them to assure the safety of patients whilst these improvements are being made."
“We will return in due course to check on the trust’s progress to make sure the improvements we have seen are sustained.”
Some of the improvements that had taken place were:
- Emergency equipment in maternity was now checked in line with trust policies.
- A new children’s waiting area and ambulance entrance had been opened in the emergency department at Scunthorpe General Hospital.
- The management of patients with mental health problems in the emergency department at Scunthorpe General Hospital had improved.
Some of the areas for further improvement included:
- The recognition and management of deteriorating patients in the emergency department.
- The staffing levels did not always match the planned staffing levels in maternity and the emergency department.
- The capacity and demand planning for outpatient appointments had not been embedded across all specialties.
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For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Officer Kerri James by email kerri.james@cqc.org.uk or by phone on 07464 92 9966.
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