Following a comprehensive inspection the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated services at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust as ‘Good’ overall in its report published today (27 July 2016).
The Trust was rated ‘Outstanding’ in the ‘Caring’ domain, overall and separately for hospital-based and community services. It was rated ‘Good’ overall in the ‘Effective’, ‘Responsive’ and ‘Well-led’ domains.
The ‘Caring’ domain is scored by how well staff involve and treat people with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. The CQC noted that “across the Trust we found staff kind, caring and taking extra steps to improve their patients’ experience of the services”.
Several of the Trust’s services were rated ‘Outstanding’. At Harrogate District Hospital, both Critical Care and Outpatients and Diagnostic Imaging services scored this highest possible grade. The Trust’s Community Adult service and Community Dental service were also rated ‘Outstanding’.
Particular areas of outstanding practice identified by the CQC include:
- Clinical psychology service to inpatients and outpatients at the follow-up clinic in Critical Care. The use of patient diaries on Critical Care by the Multidisciplinary Team was also praised
- The Critical Care Outreach team’s leadership, advanced clinical skills and commitment to education
- Diabetes Specialist Nurses who use medicines system information to monitor patients’ blood sugar readings and insulin doses
- The redesign of the acute admissions and assessment pathway, known as the ‘FLIP’ project was outstanding. The project was initiated and driven by staff
- The supporting intensive therapy unit patients (situp) service
- The Community Dental Service offering individual care that was specific to the patient’s needs. Where conventional care would not meet the needs of the patient, the service was willing to adapt to meet their needs
- The Community Dental Service responded effectively to the needs of the community and staff were actively seeking out groups of people who were at risk from poor dental hygiene or who were normally excluded from routine dental treatment.
- Community health services for adults were outstanding overall and specifically in relation to caring and being well-led Feedback from patients was consistently positive and they told the CQC that staff go the extra mile which was witnessed during the inspection.
- The CQC found the Trust ‘Requires Improvement’ in the ‘Safe’ domain. Many of the issues picked up by the CQC have already been addressed and an action plan is in place to address the remaining points raised.
The full report can be accessed on the CQC website or by following this link: http://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RCD
Dr Ros Tolcher, Chief Executive at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:
This is a very positive report for the Trust and I am delighted that the hard work and commitment of our staff has been reflected in the overall rating. We’re especially proud that the CQC found that overall we are ‘outstanding’ at providing caring services.
Our Trust values of ‘Respectful, Responsible and Passionate’ shine through in the report and I’d like to say thank you to all staff who, day in, day out, provide first class care for patients and service users. This report reflects our professional, caring workforce.
In addition, I’d like to thank patients and members of the public who provided their views to the CQC ahead of and during the inspection.
There are some areas which have been highlighted where more work is required to achieve a good or outstanding rating. We welcome the CQC’s findings in these areas. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement and we have an action plan in place to address these points.
Local MP, Andrew Jones, said:
This report was not a surprise to me. I meet regularly with the Chair and Chief Executive and many staff across all the services. I know that the organisation is well-led with dedicated staff providing a caring service.
It is good to have it confirmed by the Care Quality Commission that we are well-served by our Health Trust. This is further evidence of the excellent services the Trust offers coming after the glowing report on local cancer care earlier this year.
Well done to all the staff as it is their hard work and caring approach that has led to this result.
- The inspection team visited all eight core services at Harrogate District Hospital, the inpatient services at Ripon Community Hospital, the minor injuries units at Selby and Ripon as well as community dental services, community healthcare services for adults, and children’s community services across various areas served by the Trust. In addition, it carried out an unannounced inspection on 10 February 2016
- The CQC spoke to patients, carers, staffside leads and staff of all levels. It also sought views and perceptions of the Trust from external partners (including Healthwatch North Yorkshire and local commissioners).
- For more detail about how the CQC carries out inspections please visit: https://www.cqc.org.uk/content/how-we-inspect-and-regulate-guide-providers
