Birmingham Children’s Hospital first to be rated outstanding

Birmingham Children’s Hospital has become the first of specialist hospital of its kind to be rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England.

The news comes after the hospital was previously criticised in 2009 for having insufficient numbers of beds, operating theatres and trained staff.

After a visit in May 2016, CQC inspectors looked at core services including: A&E; medical care; surgery; paediatric critical care; neonatal care; transition services; end of life care; outpatients and child and adolescent mental health services.

Paying tribute to the hospital’s 3,700 staff, Sarah-Jane Marsh, chief executive of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “For the last five years we have been all about building and developing one giant healthcare team with 3,700 members - Team BCH - and it is wonderful to see this shining through in the report, from how well we work across different specialties and disciplines, to the way we support innovation, ensuring we are always at the forefront of what is possible – with children and young people in our hearts.

“And it’s children, young people and families who inspire us every day – so to hear that they think we really go the extra mile for them, keeping them informed and supported in their care, while treating them with dignity and respect, means the world to us.

"The areas flagged for improvement are fair as we know we have more to do, particularly in neonates and community mental health, and they have been a priority for us for some time. I am confident that the work we are undertaking will ensure that patients and families receive a high standard of care now, and long into the future – and that soon every service will be ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ – especially now we can tap into the expertise of the amazing teams at Birmingham Women’s Hospital.”