The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has re-rated surgery services at Salford Royal Hospital, run by Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust as requires improvement following an inspection from 23 to 25 September.
CQC carried out the inspection, due to concerns regarding how gynaecology, spinal and neurosurgery services are managed, as well as to look at their safety processes. It was also to follow up on regulatory breaches which were found at its previous inspection. Most of these remained a concern at this latest inspection.
Following the September inspection, CQC issued a warning notice to the trust to highlight the areas where rapid and significant improvements were needed. This related to staffing levels, as well as systems and processes used to identify and manage risks, which were affecting quality and safety on the wards.
Inspectors also found 11 regulatory breaches relating to safeguarding people from abuse and improper treatment, as well as duty of candour. They were also regarding person-centred care, safe care and treatment, good management of the service and staffing, which were also highlighted at the last inspection in December 2022. In addition to the concerns identified within the warning notice.
CQC has re-rated safe, effective, responsive and well-led as requires improvement. Caring has declined from good to requires improvement.
The overall rating is unchanged for Salford Royal Hospital and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. They both remain rated as requires improvement.
Inspectors found:
- The service didn’t have effective systems and processes in place to ensure the wards had enough suitably qualified staff to safely meet the needs of everyone using the service.
- Some people felt staffing shortages had impacted their emotional well-being and they didn’t always feel comfortable asking for help when they needed it, due to experiencing previous delays.
- Staff didn’t always complete risk assessments or appropriately manage people’s deteriorating health to keep people safe.
- The service didn’t always make sure people received pain relief or support with their personal care needs in a timely way.
- Staff didn’t always ensure people using the service were safeguarded from abuse or improper treatment.
- The service didn’t always tell people about their rights around consent, and they didn’t always respect their rights when delivering care and treatment.
However:
- Leaders engaged with partners and the wider community to plan and improve services.
- The service supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduced their future needs for care and support.