CQC rates BHRUT as Requires Improvement

The Care Quality Commission has rated Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust as Requires Improvement, as part of its latest inspection.

Following the inspection in September and November 2019, the inspectorate rated BHRUT as Requires Improvement for being safe and responsive and Good for being effective, caring and well-led.

In the report, inspectors noted how doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals at the trust work well together to benefit patients, and support each other to provide good quality care. The CQC also praised how staff treat patients with compassion and kindness, respecting their privacy and dignity and take into account their individual needs.

Particularly highlighted for praise in the report, the trust was recognised for having enlisted five experienced senior nurses to provide mentoring and coaching support for newly qualified nurses, allied health professionals and junior doctors. This was the first scheme of its kind in the country and received national recognition.

Chris Bown, interim chief executive at the trust, said: “While we know there is still much more to do, I am delighted that inspectors have recognised our steady progress; rated us as good in three of the domains, including well-led; and praised our kind and compassionate staff and the high quality of care we provide to our patients every day. I am heartened that England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Ted Baker, has said we are definitely moving in the right direction.”

Ted Baker, England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said: “Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust is definitely moving in the right direction. Although they are still rated Requires Improvement overall, I note that they were rated Good in three of the main CQC categories, for being effective, caring and well-led. There were also a number of areas where we saw some outstanding practice which was very encouraging. I would like to see the trust striving to improve safety and responsiveness in a bid to attain a Good overall rating and most importantly better care for its patients.”