PERFORMANCE: The health system in the Berkshire East area has been described as “failing” by the South Central strategic health authority, which highlighted particular concerns around maternity services at Heatherwood and Wexham Park Foundation Trust.
The SHA’s report on progress against its own strategic and operational integrated plan, put before the board’s July 28 meeting, identified a range of “key concerns”, including the 18 weeks referral to treatment target for cancer, and patient choice.
Stroke, venous thromboembolism, transient ischaemic attacks, MRSA and C difficile were also identified as challenging areas.
The report also singled out maternity services at Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It said the trust “has a low midwife to woman ratio, a high Cesarean section rate and are assessing fewer than 80 per cent of women by the twelfth week of pregnancy.”
It added that the SHA maternity lead has been working closely with Berkshire East and the trust, but “improvement has not been evident”.
According to the report, the SHA chief nurse has visited the trust recently and is linking with the PCT to seek further assurances.
The report concluded: “Data quality remains an issue at [the trust] and the PCT is working with the trust to ensure all areas are being addressed. Further detail is being sought on progress against the new clinical quality indicators for accident and emergency.”
Source
Source date
July 2011
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