Stephen Hay, Monitor’s managing director of provider regulation, said: “Patients treated at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust deserve to receive the highest possible care, and so the failings that we and the [Care Quality Commission] have identified in the trust’s services are disappointing”.
Advertisement
Following inspections in April and May, CQC inspectors found the trust, which is one of the largest in the country with over 1,000 beds, needed to make a number of improvements to ensure it was consistently delivering care which was safe, effective and responsive to people’s needs.
CQC’s chief inspector of hospitals Sir Mike Richards argues that Addenbrooke’s financial problems were largely of its own making, but the BBC’s health correspondent Nick Triggle says “it’s hard to escape the feeling that this is just the tip of the iceberg”.
Frequently used as a form of pain relief during childbirth, high levels have been linked to unconsciousness or death if there is a lack of oxygen.
Mr Sunley added: “I am pleased the CQC recognise our staff for delivering good, compassionate care and this is a strong position we will build from”.
However, the only action taken to address this risk was to advise staff to open windows where possible.
Inspectors have reported that Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has “lost its grip on the basics”.
The team also found that best practice guidelines were not always followed, including on continuous foetal heart rate monitoring during labour, and the risk of blood clots.
This meant staff sometimes worked in areas where they lacked training, while some rotas had empty spaces and others were filled with agency workers.
Sue Huggins, local senior office for the Royal College of Nurses, said: “We have never had any concerns about [director of nursing] Alice Webster but the people surrounding her in the senior management team have not been so supportive”.
Most recently, the Trust was among 26 hospitals significantly increasing the national waiting time in accident and emergency over the winter of 2014 to 2015.
Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust provides services from seven community hospitals, minor injuries and illness units, and dental clinics, and community services for adults, children and young people as well as independent living, sexual health services, therapies, rehabilitation and specialist services.
During the unannounced inspection in March, the CQC found that there was a widespread disconnect between the Trust board and staff. Although all services were rated “Good” for caring, the Trust has also been rated “Inadequate” in safety and leadership.
The regulator’s investigation concluded the trust had underestimated the scale and challenges of implementing the electronic patient record system.
MEMBERS of the public are being invited to Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (MCHFT) its Annual Members Meeting.
The trust is running a deficit of £1.2 million per week and is predicted to overrun by at least £64 million this year. “We know our patients expect safe, kind and excellent care here, and that’s what we aim to provide every day”, added Ms Ramsey. “I can not see why anybody would want to describe it as inadequate”.
“The problem is staff turnover”, a nurse told the Cambridge News.
Its chief executive, Keith McNeil, and chief finance officer, Paul James, both resigned from their positions ahead of the CQC report.
Advertisement
The CQC have not taken formal enforcement at this stage and will check that action is taken by the care home.
