The NHS trust which serves the borough’s residents was today moved out of special measures, with particular praise given to care for children and those suffering with dementia.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors said Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) had made “significant improvements” since the last visit in May 2015.
The trust, which runs King George Hospital, in Goodmayes, and Queen’s Hospital, in Romford, had been in special measures since December 2013, after a damning inspection.
Commenting on the report published today, Professor Sir Mike Richards, England’s chief inspector of hospitals, said: “We found that the senior leadership was visible and involved in clinical activity.
“The staff were positive about the changes, their environment, and the future direction of the trust and the services.”
Inspectors, who visited the trust between September and October last year, were particularly impressed with the children and young people and outpatients and diagnostic imaging services.
They also highlighted several impressive innovations.
Tailored care to patients living with dementia was classed as outstanding, while providing babies with home oxygen therapy dramatically improved families’ quality of life.
The CQC also praised the trust’s dedicated paediatric learning disability nurse.
The overall rating was “requires improvement”. Inspectors had concerns at how many senior nurse vacancies there were at King George, and also the amount of locum doctors used.
However no domains across the trust are still “inadequate”, with four out of the five classed as “good”.
Sir Mike commented: “While further improvements are necessary, we are confident that both leadership and staff know what needs to be done to continue towards achieving an improved rating.”
The trust’s chief executive Matthew Hopkins said: “I have always believed in the huge desire and passion of our staff to deliver outstanding care to this community.
“It is evident to me every single day in our hospitals, so I am delighted it was clearly evident to the CQC team too, as this very positive report shows.
“While this inspection only focused on four services, the picture it paints reflects progress across the trust: ensuring patients are at the centre of everything we do. It’s a proud day for everyone involved with the trust.”
Kathryn Halford, BHRUT’s chief nurse, commented: “As well as our local community, I particularly hope this sends out a clear message to people across the health community, that we are a progressive trust moving very much in the right direction.”
BHRUT is holding several celebratory events today at King George and Queen’s.
To read the full report click here.
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