Residents will recall that last month the Care Quality Commission published its result of an inspection of East Surrey Hospital’s maternity department. The CQC rated the department as “requires improvement” a fall from its previous rating of “outstanding”.
I immediately contacted the Chief Executive of the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust (the Trust responsible for East Surrey Hospital) asking that the hospital outline the plan it has adopted to make necessary improvements.
I have been assured that since the inspection the Trust has put in place a robust action plan to tackle the issues raised by the CQC. This includes tougher infection control measures, more frequent cleanliness checks and more thorough daily safety checks of medicines and specialist emergency care equipment.
Earlier this year the Trust also launched a recruitment drive to improve staffing levels and since the inspection they have had 13 new midwives start in post, with a further five due to start in the coming weeks.
It is important that the CQC report did highlight many examples of good practice and I do not doubt for one moment the passion of the midwifery team and their determination to deliver the best care to patients.
After what was historically a bad period the East Surrey totally transformed its performance and has recently been consistently rated as “Outstanding”. This continues to be the case and the concerns related to just one department – but I know the Trust is determined to get it right across the board. I welcome the changes being made and I look forward to taking this up with the Chief Exec.