Following the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s inspection report on Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Rachel said:
“First of all, I’d like to pay tribute and thank all the fantastic and hard-working staff at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Day in, day out they take care of our loved ones in their time of need and I know how committed they all are to improving the safety and quality of the care they provide for patients.
“However, today’s CQC report on the Trust following their latest inspection makes for disappointing reading. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Trust is letting the people of Redditch down. They deserve first-class health care services and currently this isn’t the case. I know residents will be frustrated by today’s report, especially since the Trust has been in special measures since December 2015 and unfortunately this remains the case following the CQC’s latest inspection. Like everyone else in Redditch, I want to see the Trust out of special measures. The Trust has been in special measures for far too long now and I want to see the Trust on aa sustainable path to improved services, reduced waiting times and better outcomes for patients.
“Although, overall, the Trust remains rated as inadequate, I’m glad the CQC has recognised the Trust has made tangible improvements. The maternity services at Worcestershire Royal are now rated as Good overall, inspectors found that staff spoke positively about the increased stability in the Trust’s leadership team, the CQC have also improved their rating of the care the Trusts provide for children and young people, and there are improved ratings for the Trusts diagnostic imaging services. These improvements are something we should all welcome.
“I have already spoken to the Chief Executive of WAHT, Michelle McKay, to discuss the CQC’s findings. I’m encouraged by Michelle’s determination to see the Trust move out of special measures. Under her leadership we have seen tangible signs of improvement, but efforts must be ramped up and a robust strategy put in place to make this a reality. I repeated to Michelle that the Trust is currently letting my constituents down and how fed-up they are of seeing their local hospitals remain in special measures.
“The CQC also said the stability and effective leadership the executive team is providing is leading to improvements, and I now hope the Interim Chairman of WAHT, David Nicholson, is given the time he needs to make further progress. I have also spoken to Mr Nicholson and it is clear he has significant experience behind him and I know the leadership team at the Trust are delighted to have him on board.
“And to help the Trust refurbish the Aconbury East Building at the Worcestershire Royal in a bid to increase acute bed capacity ahead of next Winter, I’m glad the Department for Health & Social Care has approved the Trust’s bid for £8million to fund the refurbishment works. This is something I’ve lobbied health ministers hard for. I hope this funding will help the Trust to make further improvements.
“Once again, I’d like to pay tribute to all the hard-working and committed staff at the Alex and the Worcestershire Royal, please don’t let this CQC report detract from the life-saving work you carry out 365 days a year.”