From 'inadequate' to 'requires improvement': CQC upgrades rating for Weston General Hospital
The hospital has improved since 2021 - but the Care Quality Commission has found serious flaws in places
Last updated 9th Jun 2024
It's been less than a year since the previous inspection at Weston General Hospital - but the Care Quality Commission have revealed their latest assessment of medical care at the institution.
Today, the CQC has rated medical care - which includes the provision of older people's care - as 'requires improvement'.
That's up from November 2021, when the hospital was rated as 'inadequate' - the lowest echelon on their rating scale, following their inspection in August.
Despite the clear steps forward in many aspects of care, the CQC found a number of areas of concern - including racist behaviours against staff.
Key improvements needed
The report found:
- Ongoing concerns around racist behaviours and discrimination against staff who were from ethnic minority backgrounds
- Some staff reported working excessive hours - with ward managers and matrons having to do so 'in particular' to make sure patients were safe
- Ward managers 'acting down' into ward roles to ease staffing pressures
- Out-of-hours staffing overstretched, particularly at weekends
Inspectors raised concerns of racist behaviours with the leadership of the trust and were provided reassurance this issue would be tackled as a priority.
Eugine Yafele, the Chief Executive of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We welcome this CQC report and the improved rating for medical care services at Weston General Hospital. Three of the five areas assessed are now rated Good, with an improvement in our overall rating for these services to Requires Improvement.
“We are pleased inspectors found many positives, including how staff treat patients with compassion and kindness, respect their dignity and take account of their individual needs. The CQC found exemplary practice in staff dedication to the future direction of the hospital as a thriving hospital at the heart of the community, providing the care people of all ages need most.
“Whilst all this is a significant step in the right direction, we know there is more to do. We are committed to making the necessary improvements, building on the many successful initiatives already underway and ensuring our talented and dedicated staff have the time and resources they need to deliver excellent care to our patients.”
Key findings
The Care Quality Commission assessed five areas of care, and gave these assessments:
- Well-led has improved from Inadequate to Good
- Safe has improved from Inadequate to Requires Improvement
- Effective has improved from Requires Improvement to Good
- Responsive remains Requires Improvement
- Caring remains Good
Catherine Campbell, CQC head of hospital inspection, said: “We were pleased to see improvements had been made, and standards of care for people as well as their experiences had improved.
“We found a clear, proactive approach to engaging and communicating with staff regarding the strategy and vision of the hospital. Staff were dedicated to the future direction of the hospital and understood their role in its commitment to be a thriving hospital at the heart of the community, providing the care people need most often.
“These improvements are testament to the hard work and commitment made by staff and leaders, who have made great strides since our last inspection in June 2021.
“While the trust recognises there is still work to do, the progress that has been made is extremely encouraging and I look forward to seeing it build on these strong foundations in all other core services provided by the trust.”
This rating doesn't change the rating of the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust, though, which remains at the level of 'good'.
To read the CQC's full report click here (external link).