UH Bristol sees CQC rating jump to ‘Outstanding’

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has been praised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for drastically turning around its service, receiving the ‘Outstanding’ rating in its latest inspection.

The trust was rated as ‘Requiring Improvement’ by the health watchdog two years ago, but has since seen its rating rise over two inspections to one of the highest rated in England, and the first to have jumped to ‘Outstanding’ between two inspections.

Inspectors identified a number of areas of outstanding practice, including: good handling of excessive numbers on the emergency department, enabling nurses to be released to safely manage patients queueing in the corridor; a comprehensive, structured induction and orientation programme, providing new staff with an exceptionally good understanding of their role; continual development of service in the teenagers and young adult cancer service; leadership development at all levels; innovation and research to improve patient outcomes and reduce length of stay and the use of a discrete flagging system to highlight those patients who had additional need; and a drop in chest pain clinic to improve patient attendance.

Robert Woolley, chief executive of the trust, said: "We are the sixth acute trust to receive this rating but the first in the country to make the transition from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Outstanding’ between two inspections and in only two years. The CQC saw that we have taken clear action to address those areas of weakness they identified in our last inspection in 2014, but they also saw real examples of innovation and strength in all areas.

"We will continue to listen to the concerns and suggestions of staff and patients alike, we remain committed to keep learning and we will make sure we tackle those areas for improvement which the CQC have found. But the people of Bristol and beyond can have pride and confidence in the skills and dedication of our staff who the CQC saw were committed to providing not just the best clinical care but doing so with real kindness and compassion, bringing to life our Trust values and confirming that every single one of us is proud to care."