But frontline staff at Cambridge University Hospitals recognised for ‘outstanding’ care
Staff at the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been applauded for outstanding levels of care, despite the trust being put into special measures by the health sector regulator Monitor.
The regulator is acting on the recommendation of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after its inspectors found issues with the management of the trust, including a £64 million deficit this year, which amounts to an overspend of £1.2 million per week.
Staff satisfaction at the trust, which is one of the largest in the country and comprises of 12 locations including Addenbroke hospital and the Rosie Hospital (women's and maternity site), was found to be poor, with a disconnect between the front line and the senior management team.
CQC’s chief inspector of hospitals, professor Sir Mike Richards, said senior management had "lost their grip on some of the basics".
“We found a number of serious problems when we inspected the services run by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,” he said.
“The trust has a vision, values and strategy for front line care. However, this was heavily focused towards research, academia and specialist service provision. Staff felt senior managers were unaware of the issues they faced. Ward staff felt well supported by their local managers but reported that they did not see the senior management team, apart from the chief nurse, in ward areas," he added.
The CQC inspectors found significant staff shortages in a number of areas, including critical care services. This resulted in staff being moved across different services, where they lacked proper skills and training, with gaps filled by bank or agency staff.
“We were concerned that in some services, staff were caring for people in areas unfamiliar to them, meaning patient safety and welfare was placed at risk. However, staff were hard working, passionate and caring throughout the trust, prepared to go the extra mile for patients, but having to swim upstream against the pressures they faced. Because of the quality of care delivered by the staff, we rated the trust as outstanding for caring," Richards added.
Jane Ramsey, chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the trust took being placed into special measures "very seriously".
“The care our staff provide has been rated as outstanding and we are very proud of them. We continue to have a strong track record on safety, clinical excellence and introducing ground-breaking treatments. However, the CQC’s inspection highlighted concerns with the protocols and processes that underpin the way we work. This has led to problems such as long waits for outpatient appointments and irregular checks on medical equipment."
Monitor will now work with the trust to address the issues, including undertaking a review of the trust's management. The regulator can also replace members of the trust's leadership team if improvements are not made quickly enough.