16 August 2019
UH Bristol retains ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (UH Bristol)
has once again been rated Outstanding by the Care Quality
Commission (CQC).
UH Bristol was the first Trust in the country to go from
Requires Improvement to Outstanding in 2017, and is now the first
to do this and then retain this rating.
The Trust is currently one of only seven in the country to have
been rated Outstanding twice, and one of only three general acute
Trusts to achieve this.
Robert Woolley, Chief Executive of UH Bristol, said: "I am
absolutely delighted that the Trust has been rated Outstanding by
the CQC for the second time in a row.
"Given that the CQC report follows UH Bristol recently being
named as a top general acute Trust in the national inpatient survey
for 2018, this clearly demonstrates that our staff are very special
people, doing an exceptional job to provide the best possible care
for those who need our services.
"I'm proud of each and every one of the UH Bristol team and
thrilled that their hard work has been recognised."
The CQC particularly praised staff for their commitment to
patients saying 'staff cared for patients with compassion' and the
'feedback from patients was positive'. They also praised the
culture of the organisation saying 'the values and vision for the
Trust placed people who used services at University Hospitals
Bristol at the centre'.
The CQC inspected four core services in April and May this year:
urgent and emergency services, surgery, children and young people,
and maternity.
The CQC rated the organisation as Outstanding for services being
caring and well-led, whether services are effective and responsive
are rated as Good, with safe being rated as Requires Improvement.
Of the 39 indicators which make up the Trust's overall rating, 35
are rated either Good or Outstanding.
Within their formal report, inspectors highlighted many areas of
exemplar practice across the Trust including:
- The Trust used a systematic approach to continually improving
the quality of its services and safeguarding high standards of care
by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care
would flourish.
- Staff understood the totality of patients' needs, including the
need for social interaction and support. Staff took the time to
interact with patients and those close to them, in a respectful and
considerate manner.
- There was a clear commitment from the Trust to research and
development.
- The approach to learning from deaths was exemplary with a clear
focus on areas other than clinical needs such as dignity, end of
life care and the experiences of those close to patients.
- There was a clear interconnected vision and strategy for the
Trust which recognised quality alongside sustainability.
Robert continued: "I was heartened that the CQC found no hint of
complacency in the Trust, and we fully accept that not only do we
need to continue to share innovation and best practice across our
hospitals, we also need to address the areas highlighted for
further improvement.
"For example, we are taking action to improve the storage of
medication in the areas identified by the CQC, such as reviewing
and updating the temperatures of some of our fridges, and we have
investment planned to improve our environment as required.
"In relation to areas identified in urgent and emergency care,
we're not alone in facing the pressures of high demand for these
services, and we're looking at ways both internally and with our
system partners across the region to make further improvements to
ensure patients consistently receive timely care and treatment.
"We will continue to build on the things that made us, and
helped us to retain, Outstanding, and our new five year vision,
Embracing Change, Proud to Care, gives us a strong foundation to
help us to do this."
Notes to editors:
The full report, including ratings, will be available on the
CQC's website at:
https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RA7
Find out more about UH Bristol's five year vision Embracing
Change, Proud to Care on the Trust's website here.
If you would like to arrange a media interview or visit in
relation to our Outstanding CQC rating please contact Matt
Thackray, press officer, on 0117 342 3629 or email pressoffice@uhbristol.nhs.uk
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