The Care Quality Commission has carried out an unannounced focused inspection at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust in response to concerns from patients and their relatives.
The concerns were mainly about discharge planning, staffing levels (particularly nursing) and patients receiving poor care.
CQC inspected medicine at University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and surgery at QEH. The inspection focused on the concerns mentioned above. CQC has not re-rated the services inspected and the rating for the trust remains unchanged at Requires Improvement overall.
Inspectors found some improvements during the May 2018 inspection. For example, medical patients on surgical wards now had dedicated staff to ensure patients received appropriate care and treatment. Inspectors observed nurses and allied health professionals treating patients with kindness and patients were positive about the care they received.
However, there was a significant shortage of nursing staff particularly in medicine at both hospitals and while less of a problem in surgery it was still an issue.
Discharge planning was working reasonably well - but staff were having to manage more complex arrangements. The trust is aware of the problems and is working to improve the process.
Patients said they were involved in discussions about their care but, at UHL relatives felt nurses were too busy to talk to them. Nurses at UHL felt they did not always have sufficient time to spend with patients.
Many patients were positive about the care they received and inspectors observed caring interactions between patients and staff. Staff were working hard and were positive about their local leadership and managers and the support they received from them.
The trust must now:
- Take action to ensure that sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, competent, skilled and experienced persons are deployed.
Professor Ted Baker, CQC’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said:
“I am pleased that there is evidence that Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is now working towards addressing the concerns raised by patients and their relatives. I hope to see further improvements when we next inspect the trust.”
Ends
For further information please contact Ray Cooling, Regional Engagement Manager (London), on 020 7448 9136 or 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 press office is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters. For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.
I am pleased that there is evidence that Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is now working towards addressing the concerns raised by patients and their relatives
Professor Ted Baker, Chief Inspector of Hospitals