A new report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) from a recent unannounced inspection to Weston General Hospital shows the hospital met all the standards inspected, with reports of ‘brilliant care’ from patients.
The inspections were held on the 12 and 13 November 2013 and in a first for the Trust included a night visit. This means Weston General Hospital starts 2014 by being compliant with all national CQC standards set for acute hospital trusts in England.
Thanking staff for their hard work in improving standards Nick Wood, Chief Executive, Weston Area Health NHS Trust said:
“This has been an incredible team effort across every single department in the hospital. Both the hospital and the Trust have been exceptionally busy this year, yet staff have delivered better services and standards of care.
“Looking ahead to 2014 our aim for the new year is to build on these achievements and firmly embed principles of safe and quality care which meet all our patients' needs."
Patients question by CQC inspectors were happy with their experience at the hospital with patient comments including:
“ I’ve been looked after extremely well” (patient in Emergency Department)
“Brilliant care” (patient on a ward)
“It’s a good hospital, it’s very professional” (patient on a ward)
“I receive fabulous care, I have no complaints” (patient on a ward)
The CQC visited seven wards, the day surgery unit and the Emergency Department to inspect:
During their visit the CQC discussed with senior management the new initiatives by the Trust to improve quality and safety in the hospital.
The CQC noted in their report that the numbers of pressure ulcers developed by patients in the hospital had gone down (pressure ulcers are indicators of poor care) and a substantial fall in the numbers of serious incidents and complaints.
Staff questioned by the CQC reported a welcome increase in nurse staffing numbers and the recruitment drive for more senior doctors.