London’s Whipps Cross University Hospital’s maternity services were visited by CQC inspectors in October 2019 as were Newham University Hospital’s diagnostic imaging department. Both are part of Barts Health NHS Trust.
CQC’s rating for the Whipps Cross service remained at Good overall, though inspectors did find some improvements.
The trust had clearly defined and embedded processes to keep people safe from abuse and staff demonstrated understanding of safeguarding processes and awareness on how to escalate and report safeguarding concerns.
The Female Genital Mutilation team achieved the first UK court conviction against FGM in February 2019 and was a finalist for a national award for the Lotus clinic.
The practice development midwife organised mandatory training for staff one year in advance and worked in co-ordination with the shift roster system which meant that staff booked in for mandatory training were not included in shift allocation.
All the areas CQC inspected were visibly clean, tidy, and clutter free. The equipment store rooms were well organised with secure access and inspectors saw evidence that equipment was routinely, and regularly serviced and calibrated.
Although the service had challenges regarding midwifery staffing, it ensured there were enough staff with the right qualifications, training and experience to keep women safe from avoidable harm.
The Whipps Cross maternity service was taking part in eight research studies and displayed information leaflets regarding the studies for the public to view.
Women said they felt listened to by health professionals and felt informed and involved in their treatment and care plans. Staff provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
The maternity service estates were being refurbished to improve women’s experience and kept expecting mums informed ahead of their appointments.
Despite having numerous hand wash dispensers in all the areas, CQC observed inconsistent hand hygiene practice amongst all staff groups. However, the service reported zero incidents of hospital-acquired infections and women said they regularly saw staff using alcohol gel and wash their hands.
At Newham University Hospital CQC rated the diagnostic imaging department as Requires Improvement overall - that rating remains the same as in a previous inspection in 2018. Then CQC had concerns that systems to assess, monitor, and mitigate risks to patients were not operating effectively.
CQC issued the trust with a Requirement Notice to make improvements. During the most recent inspection CQC focused mainly on the issues identified in the Requirement Notice and where significant improvement was required in improving leadership, strengthening governance and oversight, engaging staff and addressing safety concerns.
The trust had achieved progress in addressing CQC’s concerns; however, there was still work to do to deliver and sustain progress. Inspectors judged that the necessary changes of the Requirement Notice had been met as far as possible within a short timescale.
Dr Nigel Acheson, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals (London and South East) said: “At Newham University Hospital, the trust had achieved progress in addressing our concerns. However, there was still work to do to deliver and sustain progress.
“At Whipps Cross University Hospital maternity department inspectors saw some outstanding practice. The service exceeded the Better Births Strategy’s national target for the percentage of women booked into continuity of care pathways and personalised care.
“The Female Genital Mutilation team achieved the first UK court conviction against FGM in February 2019 and was a finalist for a national award for the Lotus clinic.”
You can read the reports in full when they are published on CQC’s website at: www.cqc.org.uk/provider/R1H
Ends
For media enquiries, 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 www.cqc.org.uk/media/our-media-office. (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.