Hospital services get better but still work to do, say inspectors

WATCHDOG FINDS BREACHES IN MATERNITY AND EMERGENCY CARE AT HEARTLANDS

- NAOMI DESOUZA

INSPECTORS found several breaches in two hospital services at an unannounced visit to a Birmingham hospital.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) returned to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital in March and April to follow up on improvements it had told the trust to make at previous inspections particularly in its urgent and emergency care services and maternity services.

Watchdog inspectors also carried out a comprehensive inspection of services for children and young people.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, (UHB) which also runs the Queen Elizabeth, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals said it was "delighted" with the CQC findings while acknowledging there is "much more to do."

Inspectors found the trust had made improvements in both urgent and emergency care services and maternity services, but it still needed to make further progress.

CQC identified three breaches of regulation in maternity related to safe care and treatment, management, and premises and equipment.

Inspectors also found three breaches of regulation in urgent and emergency care related to safe care and treatment, dignity and respect, and staffing.

Urgent and emergency care services, and how responsive the service is, was rated as requires improvement.