The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published a report following an inspection of urgent and emergency services at Royal Stoke University Hospital, part of University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust.
The University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust provides acute hospital services for over 1.1 million people in Staffordshire, South Cheshire, and Shropshire.
Following the inspection, the overall rating for urgent and emergency services, as well as the ratings for safe and responsive, were rated requires improvement again. Well-led, caring, and effective were rated as good again.
The overall rating for University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, and Royal Stoke University Hospital, remains as requires improvement.
Inspectors found:
- The pressure on the limited number of staff trying to care for the people was extremely challenging
- Royal Stoke University Hospital had a considerable increase in ambulance handover delays of over 60 minutes from April 2023 to January 2024
- People could access the service when they needed it however, they didn’t always receive care promptly
- The service didn’t always have suitable facilities and equipment to safely meet the needs of people and their families
- Leaders discussed how to extend the corridor of the emergency room and open more beds on wards to help with flow
- People said staff treated them well and with kindness
- Safety huddles were held throughout the day to discuss people’s care
- Staff completed psychosocial and risk assessments for people at risk of self-harm or suicide and worked closely with the local mental health trust to support them.