England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals has told Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust that there has been significant and sustained improvement throughout the trust. However, there are still areas where improvement is required.
A team of inspectors from the Care Quality Commission visited two locations in the trust between October 2017 and February 2018 to check the quality of five core services: urgent and emergency care, medical care, surgery, critical care and services for children and young people. Inspectors visited Maidstone Hospital and The Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury.
CQC also looked specifically at management and leadership to answer the key question: Is the trust well led?
There has been no change to the trust’s overall rating which remains Requires Improvement. Safety, effectiveness and being responsive to people’s needs all remain Requires Improvement and caring remains Good. Well-led has improved from Requires Improvement to Good.
CQC’s Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals Amanda Stanford said:
“Since our last inspection in 2015 Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust has worked to make significant improvements especially in the well-led domain which is reflected in the improved rating. Inspectors also identified numerous areas of outstanding practice in four of the core services inspected throughout the trust.
“There are still improvements to be made however in relation to staff training, adequate record keeping, as well as reducing overnight discharges.
“Whilst acknowledging the progress made by the trust since our last inspection, we will continue to monitor the services involved to ensure there is progress on implementing the required improvements”.
Ends
For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Officer Lara Orija on 07789 875 306 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. (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.
Inspectors also identified numerous areas of outstanding practice in four of the core services inspected throughout the trust.
Amanda Stanford, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals