The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report following a focused inspection of the urgent and emergency service at Peterborough City Hospital, part of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.
The inspection was carried out on 21 December to check how the service was responding to winter pressures focusing on; patient safety, infection prevention and control, patient flow, workforce and leadership and culture. Inspectors did not enter any areas designated as high risk due to COVID-19.
Inspectors found that patients received timely clinical input and assessment. Staff used the trust’s escalation processes in order to manage flow and reduce risks of crowding within the department. In addition, staff identified and quickly acted upon patients at risk of deterioration.
Managers told inspectors there had been a positive impact on leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic as the team pulled together throughout the first wave and embraced different ways of working. Staff described an open culture where learning from incidents was encouraged and they were actively engaged in developments within the department.
However, at times of peak pressure, patients were being held on ambulances due to capacity issues within the wider hospital. Inspectors reported their findings to the trust leadership, which knows what it must do to bring about further improvements and ensure it maintains any already made.
This targeted inspection did not result in a rating change for the urgent and emergency service overall, therefore the previous rating of Requires Improvement remains. Peterborough City Hospital and North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust remain rated Requires Improvement overall.
Full details of the inspection are given in the report published online here.
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