Norfolk and Norwich remains in 'special measures'

The Chief Inspector of Hospitals has recommended that Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust should remain in special measures so it can continue to receive the support it needs to make further improvements.

The Care Quality Commission has found improvement at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in its latest inspection, boosting its overall rating from ‘inadequate’ to ‘require improvement’, with the CQC will continue to monitor the trust and check on its progress.

The CQC found in its report ‘definitive steps’ needed to be taken to ‘improve the culture, openness and transparency throughout the organisation and reduce inconsistencies in culture and leadership’. It also found that the quality of care to patients with mental concerns must continue to improve.

Professor Ted Baker, the CQC's chief inspector of hospitals, said: "While we found improvements in medical care, surgery and critical care, targets for mandatory training in medical care were not being met and governance process were not embedded. This meant there were inconsistencies in how risks were reviewed."

Mark Davies, chief executive at the trust, said: “First and foremost I would like to thank every one of our amazing staff who have been working so hard to deliver the trust’s clear, comprehensive improvement programme. It is their dedication, commitment and hard work mainly through the winter months which has helped to improve our ratings in such a short period of time. We are now well on our way on our five year journey to outstanding.

“The CQC recognised a number of examples of outstanding practice here at the trust including leading the way in the East of England in the use of robotic surgery, improving the safety culture through human factors training and the plans we have to increase capacity at the NNUH particularly in interventional radiology and endoscopy in the newly opened Quadram Institute. It is also recognised that the hospital has some of the lowest infection and mortality rates in the country. I am very proud of the staff today and they should feel very proud of the immense contribution they are making to patient care for the people of Norfolk and beyond.”