Agenda item

Discussion

The Chief Executive and the Director of Communications of Medway Foundation Trust introduced an update on the inspection of the Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the findings of which were due to be published the next day.

The Trust had been placed in special measures in July 2013 due to concerns with regard to the safety and appropriateness of care being provided at Medway Maritime Hospital. The Trust had been in special measures for 41 months, which was the longest period for any hospital trust in the country.

The latest inspection had been undertaken in November 2016. This had acknowledged major improvements at the Trust including sustained improvement in mortality rates and improved care in the emergency department. The care and compassion of staff had also been recognised. Areas highlighted as outstanding included women and children’s services and research. The hospital was also proud of achievements made with regard to its fractured hip pathway.

Overall, the inspection had identified 13 ‘must dos’ for the hospital to address, which was a significant improvement on the 46 identified in August 2016. The overall ratings included good for caring, good for being effective and good for being well led. Maternity and gynaecology were rated as outstanding for caring with no services having been rated as inadequate. An overall rating of requires improvement had been given, with the recommendation to National Health Improvement being that the hospital exited special measures. Although the hospital was contributing a significant amount to the budget deficit across Kent and Medway, it was not being recommended that the hospital be placed in financial special measures as the hospital was on course to deliver the deficit target it had agreed to for the current year.

The annual staff survey had shown the most positive results for five years and had received one of the highest response rates in the country. Survey results had improved in 44 key areas, with a decline in one area.

It was recognised that the hospital still faced challenges, particularly in relation to workforce, emergency department waiting times, access to elective surgery and cancer treatment. The CQC was due to return for a limited inspection in six months time.

The Chief Executive was proud of work by staff to improve the hospital and acknowledged the support of Medway Council and of the Committee. The Committee congratulated the Chief Executive and hospital staff on the work undertaken that had enabled it to exit special measures.

The Democratic Services Officer introduced the remainder of the Work Programme report. The Committee was updated on a meeting of the South East Regional Health Overview and Scrutiny Network and a separate meeting of a Sub-group established to undertake scrutiny of South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) as part of its improvement journey. It was also noted that some Members had recently visited the Turning Point drug and alcohol misuse service in Chatham, which was commissioned by the Council. A further visit to the Turning Point Recovery Hub in Gillingham was due to be arranged.

Decision

The Committee:

a)    Considered whether any changes needed to be made to the work programme attached at Appendix 1. It was agreed to add items on the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Plan and the Medway Mental Health Strategy to the Work Programme for June 2017 meeting.

b)    Agreed the suggested additions and changes to the Committee’s work

programme, as set out in paragraph 3 of the Work Programme report.