Clatterbridge Hospital passes CQC spot checks

The regulator checked two “essential standards” of care during an inspection of wards at the trust’s Clatterbridge Hospital.

Inspectors – including a practising nurse – observed how people were being cared for, talked with eight patients, talked with 14 staff, and checked records.

The standards assessed were:

• People should be treated with respect, involved in discussions about their care and treatment and able to influence how the service is run
• Food and drink should meet people’s individual dietary needs

It concluded overall that the Clatterbridge Hospital had passed both of the essential standards of quality and safety the CQC reviewed.

In its report, the regulator said: “Most patients were very positive about their experiences of care and treatment at Clatterbridge hospital.

“They told us their individual needs had been recognised, that they had been respected, and that they were well-informed about their care and rehabilitation arrangements. Night-time support was an area that would benefit from further scrutiny.

“The trust had clear and effective staff development and performance management systems that supported listening to and learning from the experience of patients.”

It added: “The hospital gave a high priority to making sure people benefited from a good diet and had sufficient fluids. Staff paid attention to making sure meals were appetising and that individual nutrition risks and personal preferences were addressed.

“People who required assistance generally received the level of support they required.”

The regulator visited 100 hospitals as part of its programme of inspections on older patients’ treatment and is currently publishing them in batches, of which this is the fourth.