Staff are key in driving improvement in hospital care

A new report published by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlights how ‘engaging and empowering’ staff has been fundamental in driving up the quality of care received.

The report explores how eight NHS trusts have been able to significantly improve the quality of care and therefore their CQC rating. Based on interviews with staff, patients and local patient group representatives, the report shows that one of the first steps towards improvement was to review the culture of the organisation and address any disconnect between clinicians and managers, medical and nursing tens, or different hospitals in the same trust.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, CQC’s chief inspector of hospitals, said: “Since introducing our comprehensive inspection programme in 2014, I have been encouraged by the number of NHS trusts that have made significant improvements in quality. We know from our inspections that strong leadership and a positive open culture are important drivers of change. This report set out to build on that knowledge by exploring how leadership can drive improvement and identify what action has been taken to successfully deliver transformational change. Each trust had its own approach to change, but there were themes common to all and numerous examples quality initiatives, collaborative working, and programmes of engagement that have helped to drive forward improvement. Real change does not happen overnight the improvements made by each trust are a testament to the time, effort and determination of staff and local partners. I hope their stories will encourage and inspire others in their own improvement journey."

Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary, said: “Our mission is to make the NHS the safest healthcare system in the world. A crucial part of this is the CQC inspection regime which has proved that when challenges are highlighted transparently, the NHS can make dramatic improvements in the quality of care it gives to patients. The NHS couldn't do this without strong, visible leaders across the country who work with their excellent staff to improve care for patients. I want to congratulate all the trusts on a remarkable turnaround, and I hope others will be inspired to put these important lessons into practice at their own hospitals."