Royal flush of CQC ‘outstandings’ for specialist trust

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Hospital trust is first to get “outstanding” rating in each CQC category
Follows move of specialist hospital from old site to new purpose built unit

A recently-moved hospital has become the first to achieve an “outstanding” rating in each of the Care Quality Commission’s five categories, as well as overall.

Royal Papworth Hospital Foundation Trust, which runs a specialist cardiothoracic hospital, was previously rated “good” after inspections in 2014.

It was inspected again in the summer, following a move to a new purpose built unit on the Cambridge biomedical campus.

The provider is now rated “outstanding” in all five CQC domains — safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led — and is the first hospital trust to achieve this.

Its safe, responsive and well-led categories were previously rated “good”.

CQC chief inspector of hospitals Ted Baker praised the trust’s commitment to research and its “pioneering” surgery which achieved “world-leading” outcomes.

He said: “Patients received exemplary care from committed and qualified staff. Premises were safe and clean, ensuring vulnerable people — including those living with cystic fibrosis — were protected from infection.”

Inspectors, who visited the trust in June and July, also praised the trust’s investment in technology, from the use of digital patient monitors to the adoption of electronic prescribing.

The CQC found some areas for improvement in medical care, critical care and diagnostic imaging.

Inspectors noted that more beds in critical care could reduce the number of cancelled operations, and recommended the trust reviews how its diagnostic imaging department collects patient feedback.

The trust said it was “incredibly proud” of the new CQC rating. A spokesperson told HSJ: “To be the first NHS hospital trust to get the top rating in all five CQC domains is testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff to provide world-class outcomes for our patients.”

Royal Papworth Hospital moved in the spring from an aged site in Everard to a £165m purpose built unit on the Cambridge campus. Its move to the private finance initiative-funded site faced several hold-ups, including a delay over fire safety concerns.

Meanwhilem, Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust was today rated “outstanding” overall for the second time.