Newcastle Hospitals response to CQC report following two-day
inspection embargoed until 00.01am – Friday 24 February 2023
NHS leaders have pledged to continue to improve how the mental health
care needs of patients are being met across Newcastle Hospitals
following a two-day Care Quality Commission inspection.
Inspectors carried out an unannounced visit to the Freeman Hospital and
the RVI on 30 November and 1 December 2022 looking specifically at the
care provided to patients with a mental health need, a learning
disability or autism.
In a report published today (Friday), the CQC said improvements needed
to be made around the assessment and management of mental health risks,
as well as compliance with the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health
Act.
However, the report also recognised the dedication, kindness, care and
commitment provided by staff to patients, which remains a constant
despite the pressures currently facing our organisation and the wider
NHS.
Executive Chief Nurse, Maurya Cushlow, said: “Many of our patients
have mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism as well as
needing physical healthcare, and staff across the trust work hard to
support people fully.
“I’m pleased that the CQC found that patients with a mental health
need, a learning disability or autism received good care – with good
outcomes – and during the inspection patients they told us they felt
safe in our care.
“The CQC also found that how we capture and record decisions in the
patient record is not always clear. This inspection has provided us with
the opportunity to review our policies, processes, and training so we
can better support and prepare staff to meet the healthcare needs of our
patients.
“Delivering the best possible care to all our patients remains our top
priority, and I want to thank staff for their incredible hard work. We
are committed to making trust-wide improvements until we – and the CQC –
are confident that we meet and demonstrate the required standards.”
The report will be published on the CQC website [1] on Friday.
