By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
The healthcare regulator has found there have been ‘some improvements’ in how well-led Nottingham University Hospitals is.
Chief Executive Anthony May took over the top job at the trust, which runs Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, in September 2022.
A new Chair, Nick Carver, also joined the trust in February 2022.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the trust on June 6 and 7 to inspect how ‘well led’ it is. The trust is currently rated ‘inadequate’ in this area.
The CQC also visited the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital on April 25 and 26 to visit maternity services, which have been rated ‘inadequate’ since 2020.
Dozens of babies have died or been injured and experienced midwife Donna Ockenden is running a widescale review into the trust’s maternity services.
Mr May and Mr Carver committed to a new, honest relationship with bereaved families during a meeting on July 10.
A full report on both areas will be published in September.
Papers published ahead of the trust board meeting on July 12 outline the initial feedback from the CQC.
Earlier this year, Mr May set out a plan called ‘People First’, which was “endorsed” by CQC inspectors.
But the inspectors highlighted other areas as “needing further focus and improvement”.
These included risk management, encouragement for staff to speak up and timely actions to tackle concerns, oversight of information and performance and a consistent learning and improvement methodology.
Board papers stated: “Over the two days, inspectors held focus groups and interviewed senior colleagues and the Board to review our leadership, governance, management, and culture to assess the Well-Led question for NUH.
“The CQC shared some high-level feedback with the Executive Team on 7 June, followed by a written letter highlighting their findings.
“Inspectors reported some improvements in our leadership capacity and capability and our commitment to improving the culture of the organisation.
“They endorsed the focus of People First and how we incorporate the use of patient and staff experiences to drive improvements.”
NUH has also been working with the Virginia Mason Institute, which helps healthcare organisations improve safety standards.
Representatives from the body visited NUH in June 2023 to interview staff and visit departments within the trust.
On the final day of their visit, the team shared their initial findings.
Board papers stated: “Their findings echoed that of the CQC Well-Led initial feedback. Colleagues are complimentary about People First and the roadmap it sets but are eager for transformation and improvement to be led by those on the frontline.
“We must focus on connecting the ward to the Board despite our financial challenges and support and empower our leaders at every level with strategic alignment between People First and our 10-year plan.
“Critically, we must build on the sense of urgency and curiosity created by the launch of People First. There is clear organisational appetite for colleagues to co-design an effective Trust-wide management system.”
The institute will share its full report in September.
Early feedback from the CQC on the maternity inspection also showed “some improvements” including care being delivered with compassion and good feedback in relation to staffing levels.
But they added: “Some areas of concern were also highlighted and immediate
action was taken to address items including PAT testing of electrical
equipment, resuscitation trolley security and medicines management.”
