Trust’s A&E service jumps from inadequate to good after site move

Inspectors said they found significant progress at the New Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which opened in October 2022, and is run by Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust.

The service came under heavy criticism in October 2021 while it was still being run out of the old site, the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

The CQC said there had been “continuing deterioration” in the performance of the trust’s emergency departments, with particular problems in patient flow and wider hospital services and discharge.

Inspectors also accused trust executives of being “out of touch” and showing “bias” towards another hospital they had previously run. The trust was issued with a warning notice before its then chief executive Steve Warburton stepped down.

However, Karen Knapton, the CQC’s deputy director of operations for the North West, said inspectors found the service on the new site was “well led by strong leaders, who had created a positive culture that encouraged staff to put people first to deliver a high standard of care”.

She added: “Staff understood and managed risks to people, so they were cared for in a safe way to meet their needs. For example, everyone who attended the department had an assessment within 15 minutes of arrival, and this was monitored regularly to keep people safe.

“We found safety incidents and complaints were investigated. This ensured lessons were learnt and people using the service were receiving safer care as a result. Also, staff were open and honest and gave people and their families a full explanation when things did go wrong.

“However, leaders and staff acknowledged that there were sometimes issues with flow through the department for people being admitted on to a ward, due to delays with people being able to be discharged home.

“The trust is working with partner organisations and has an improvement plan in place to help address these issues.”

Following the inspection, the hospital’s UEC rating for overall, as well as in the safe and well-led domains improved from “inadequate” to “good”.

The service’s effectiveness rating has also moved from “requires improvement” to “good”, while the caring category has been re-rated as “good”.

However, inspectors said they also found regulation breaches regarding flow through the department and issues around infection, prevention and control measures.

The hospital and the trust’s overall rating remains unchanged and rated as “requires improvement”.

LUHFT is now led by chief executive James Sumner, who joined in May 2022 before becoming group chief executive of the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group in November 2024.

Natalie Hudson, executive managing director of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, said: “Our teams should be incredibly proud of this achievement, which reflects their hard work and commitment to providing the best care possible to our patients in what can be very challenging circumstances.

“To have their rating go from ‘inadequate’ to ‘good’ following an inspection, which took place during a very busy winter, should be commended, and I am pleased the CQC has highlighted the care and compassion shown by our staff, as well as the supportive leadership of the service.”