NHS trust and hospital 'still need improvement'

Improvements are still needed at a hospital trust which provides acute care for more than a million patients, according to a health watchdog.

Pressure on staff at The University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) was "extremely challenging" and patients did not always receive care promptly, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said.

The watchdog also found the trust did not always have suitable facilities to safely meet people's needs.

A number of improvements had been made since the inspection was carried out 10 months ago, the trust said.

"Delivering safe, high-quality care to people in our emergency departments is a top priority and we work closely with all our teams in our hospitals to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care possible at all times," said UHNM chief nurse Ann-Marie Riley.

"We are committed to continually improving services for our patients so they receive the highest standards possible," she added.

The CQC said the overall rating for both UHNM and Royal Stoke University Hospital, remained as "requires improvement".

Inspectors said they found Royal Stoke University Hospital had a considerable increase in ambulance handover delays of more than an hour, between April 2023 and January 2024.

Leaders discussed how to extend the corridor of the emergency room and open more beds on wards to help with flow, they said.

Inspectors also noted people said staff had treated them well and with kindness. Safety huddles were held throughout the day to discuss people's care.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its report following an inspection of urgent and emergency services at Royal Stoke University Hospital.

The CQC said it carried out an unannounced visit on 14 March, and a follow-up announced visit on 26 March.

Following the inspection, the overall rating for urgent and emergency services, as well as the ratings for safe and responsive, were " requires improvement".

The categories of well-led, caring, and effective were each rated as "good".

UHNM provides general acute hospital services for more than 1.1 million people in Staffordshire, south Cheshire and Shropshire.

The trust also provides specialised services for three million people across a wider area, including neighbouring counties and North Wales.

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