Agenda item

The Acting Chief Executive presented the report which provided the Commission with an overview of the outcome of the Care Quality Commission Inspection of Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that was undertaken in March 2014. The CQC had released its report on the Trust’s inspection on 16 May 2014 which had highlighted that the Trust ‘requires improvement’ however many of the individual scores were higher and there were no immediate actions that needed to be taken.  Members were informed that the inspection regime was a new regime and the inspection focused on five questions across a range of services:

·         Are services safe?

·         Are they effective?

·         Are they caring?

·         Are they well-led?

·         Are they responsive to patients’ needs?

The Acting Chief Executive also gave a presentation on actions being taken which is attached at Appendix 1.

Observations and questions were raised and discussed including:

·         Members commented that they were pleased with the report overall.

·         Members asked what the reduction in falls of 4% meant as the figure expressed as a percentage was unclear.  The Acting Chief Executive informed Members that 4% was a reduction in the falls since last year but was unsure of the absolute figure.  A lot of hard work went into reducing the number of falls and there had been a noticeable reduction of falls with significant harm. There were many vulnerable patients in a hospital environment who fall and it was difficult to significantly reduce falls.

·         Members asked why recommendations were all “should do” rather than “must do” and expressed concern that phrasing the recommendations in this way would be less likely to restore public confidence. The Acting Chief Executive stated that this was the wording used by the CQC because the findings of the inspection did not require immediate action and reflected time scales rather than priority.

·         Members asked if the new paediatric area would compromise the four-hour target in A&E. Members were informed that the four-hour target was already difficult to meet. However it was hoped that the paediatric area would not affect waiting times and the dedicated space was necessary.

·         Members asked if plans were in place to address the issues highlighted in the inspection prior to the inspection. The Acting Chief Executive stated that there were already plans in place to address all of the issues but the inspection had focused the need to get things done and timelines had therefore been re-evaluated.

·         Members asked if the report had had a detrimental effect on the morale of the staff. The Acting Chief Executive stated that there had been some disappointment expressed however there had been extensive communication to all staff.

·         Members asked if it were possible to visit the hospital to see evidence of the actions being taken.  Members were advised that this would be possible and could be arranged.

·         Members asked what would happen if a patient were admitted to A & E and then needed to go onto a specific ward but there were no available beds. The Acting Chief Executive stated that they would stay in the Emergency Department until an available bed was found but this might not be in the appropriate ward.  A patient might have to be moved again when a bed was found in the appropriate ward.

·         Members asked if there was competition amongst salaries for nurses. The Acting Chief Executive stated that there was a national pay scale so there would be no competition amongst hospitals setting salaries for nurses.

ACTIONS AGREED

The Commission noted the report and requested that a visit be arranged to the Hospital for Members of the Commission to observe how the CQC Action Plan was being implemented.  It was also requested that if possible Members of the Commission be invited to attend a Management meeting where the action plan was reported to.