CQC report could cause Frimley Park to 'walk away' from takeover

Chief executive Philippa Slinger told HSJ that poor operational performance or quality of care is a potential “walk away point” for Frimley Park Foundation Trust.

Frimley Park has been in talks with Heatherwood and Wexham Park for several months over the possible acquisition.

The Care Quality Commission issued Heatherwood and Wexham Park with a warning notice on Wednesday for failures to comply with both quality and management standards and to raise concerns about issues including staffing levels and patient dignity problems.

Following this Monitor gave the trust three months to put right the concerns raised by the quality regulator.

Ms Slinger told HSJ it was not yet clear what the impact of the CQC report would be on the Frimley Park bid, but “it is something that might make them walk away.”

“This adds another difficult dimension to the acquisition”.

Ms Slinger said cultural problems were “clearly there”, and evident in negative staff and patient survey results.

She told HSJ that she had hoped to improve staff attitudes by hiring more permanent employees, securing investment through bailout cash, and setting out a future direction for the trust.

“I thought those things would be enough to turn the culture around – they clearly weren’t, and I have to accept that this [has happened] on my watch.”

Ms Slinger added that her position as chief executive would be under threat if local commissioners or Monitor lost confidence in her.

Heatherwood and Wexham Park has agreed to review its oversight of clinical quality, strengthen its ward management, and ensure it has adequate bed and staffing capacity to meet future demand for both emergency and elective care.

Monitor issued an enforcement notice in April 2013 demanding urgent improvements in finance and governance. A statement issued by the regulator last week said: “In view of the seriousness of this CQC warning notice Monitor will now increase its scrutiny to ensure the recovery plan is implemented.”

The CQC’s inspection followed challenges at the hospital’s A&E department after winter pressures, and the closure of an emergency department in nearby Wycombe, exposed substantial capacity issues. The hospital missed waiting time targets and received complaints from patients.

The Frimley Park trust board is expected to consider an outline business case for the takeover next month.