I was delighted to receive the formal report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection which took place on the 7th February 2012.
The report highlighted what fantastic care our patients receive which is an absolute testament to our staff. The CQC spoke to a number of patients and this is a flavour of what they said:
"I can't fault how I have been treated - it has been exceptional. I feel staff communicated everything I need to know"
"I have asked lots of questions and they have always been answered"
The CQC did identify an area for improvement and that related to Medicines Management for which we were issued a moderate concern. An action plan is being developed to address the outstanding issues. The full report is now available on the CQC website.
We also heard our 2011 fantastic results from the National Patient Survey. This looked at inpatients and outpatients in gynaecology. We had good response rates from our patients.
In the outpatient survey, we scored better than average for booking appointments, parking, reception, communication about tests, communication with staff, privacy, involvement, post appointment information and cleanliness/hygiene.
Areas for improvement included: communication about waiting, pre appointment information and patients receiving copies of their letters.
In the inpatient survey we scored better than average on ward environments, communication, explanation of surgery and discharge information.
Areas for improvement included:
Planned admission in relation to changing admission dates and not receiving copies of letters sent between hospital doctors and GP's.
Here is what our patients said about our services:
"Reception staff were extremely friendly, helpful and reassuring"
"The car parking arrangements were excellent and it was easy to locate the outpatient department"
"The department was spacious and well designed"
"The Sister who conducted my tests was superb, really helpful, kind, considerate and explained all my worries"
"Excellent hospital and outpatient facilities staff who work in this hospital are fantastic and so cheerful and pleasant"
"I was in a lovely clean ward, I felt very safe"
"The hospital wards are very clean. All the staff are friendly including staff in charge of restaurant/meals who I think make an effort to remember patients"
I am always incredibly proud of our staff and it is lovely to hear that supported by feedback from our patients.