The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today (Thursday) announced that it has lifted two of the three conditions it placed on The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT) earlier this year.
In April 2010, the regulator registered the trust with three conditions as part of its new registration system for adult health and social care. The trust was one of 22 trusts registered with conditions across the UK.
Today CQC published its findings in a report which explains how the trust has addressed concerns linked to each of condition.
CQC gathered evidence to support the removal of the conditions during two separate unannounced visits at two of the trust's locations (Heartlands and Good Hope Hospital) in May and June this year.
After gathering information by speaking to staff and patients and reviewing documentary evidence the regulator has lifted the conditions which looked at essential standards of quality and safety linked to:
- safeguarding people who use services
- staffing.
CQC inspectors had previously identified concerns linked to staff training and staff awareness of adult safeguarding issues. The trust shared documentary evidence to support the improvements against this condition with CQC staff.
This showed that the trust had met the requirements of the condition by:
- Providing confirmation that staff had received appropriate training around adult safeguarding.
- Encouraging a dialogue with external agencies. This has helped to increase staff understanding of adult safeguarding issues and has encouraged a more open and transparent approach to discussions between the trust and external agencies regarding safeguarding reviews.
- Providing evidence of a rise in the number of staff reporting safeguarding issues across the trust.
CQC West Midlands regional director Andrea Gordon said: "CQC would like to thank patients and staff who helped us to gather vital evidence during our unannounced visits.
"These opportunities to interact with people who have first hand experience of services allows our inspection teams to get a valid feel for the steps the trust has taken to improve services.
"We are confident the trust has made the necessary changes to meet the standards required to ensure that people using services are receiving a good standard of care.
"We also found that staff had a better understanding of how to keep abreast of issues linked to keeping people safe while they are seeking treatment and care from the trust."
The report confirms that standards around staffing are being met. During the two visits CQC assessors spoke to staff and patients to find out whether both groups felt confident the trust had enough staff. The team also observed the senior staff members' approach to addressing risks associated with working with fewer staff.
The CQC report recognises that staff and patients are now reporting positive experiences and confidence in the levels of staffing. Senior staff are using an electronic system to identify risks associated with working with fewer staff. These measures have demonstrated a speedier approach to escalating issues linked to staff levels at the trust.
Five additional outcomes were also reviewed as part of the site visits to the trust. These had been identified as concerns as a result of complaints received by CQC and issues highlighted by other agencies.
The trust has until September 2010 to meet the third condition placed upon it, outcome 14 - supporting staff. Improvements reported by the trust are being reviewed by CQC staff.
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About the Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England. We inspect all health and adult social care services in England, whether they're provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations. We also seek to protect the interests of people whose rights are restricted under the Mental Health Act. We make sure that essential common standards of quality are met everywhere care is provided, from hospitals to private care homes, and we work towards their improvement. We promote the rights and interests of people who use services and we have a wide range of enforcement powers to take action on their behalf if services are unacceptably poor.
Our work brings together (for the first time) independent regulation of health, mental health and adult social care. Before 1 April 2009, this work was carried out by the Healthcare Commission, the Mental Health Act Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
Our aim is to make sure that better care is provided for everyone, whether it is in hospital, in care homes, in people’s own homes, or anywhere else that care is provided.
Registration: The Health and Social Care Act 2008 introduced a new, single registration system that applies to both health and adult social care. The new system will make sure that people can expect services to meet new essential standards of quality and safety that respect their dignity and protect their rights. The new system is focused on outcomes, rather than systems and processes, and places the views and experiences of people who use services at its centre.
From April 2010, all health and adult social care providers will be required by law to be registered with CQC and must show that they are meeting the essential standards. Registration isn't just about initial application for registration. We will continuously monitor compliance with the essential standards as part of a new, more dynamic, responsive and robust system of regulation.
Read the reports
Read the reports from our checks on standards at The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.