This morning the CQC has issued its report on South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, rating the Trust as Requires Improvement.
Our local NHS does a fantastic job and I know the overwhelming majority of my constituents who come into contact with James Cook Hospital come away thoroughly impressed and grateful for the quality of care they receive. In February I saw this for myself when I spent the night alongside the team in A&E, and you could not find a more dedicated group of professionals.
Any report by the CQC needs to be respected and I know the Trust is committed to addressing the issues that have been raised. In Siobhan McArdle, we are fortunate to have a leader who combines both great passion for her home town with huge management experience in both the public and private sectors. Siobhan and her team have my total confidence to restore the Trust to a good rating as quickly as possible.
Three of the five core services at James Cook were rated Good overall:
- Urgent and Emergency Care
- Medical Services
- Surgical Services
Two were rated Requires Improvement:
- Critical Care
- Diagnostic Services
The Trust has been here before and recovered very strongly. In June 2015, it was rated Requires Improvement. By October 2016, it had reclaimed Good status. I will do everything I can to support a similarly quick turnaround now.
In conversation with the Trust’s Chairman, Alan Downey, yesterday, I also pledged my full support to address their £17 million annual legacy bill from a badly negotiated PFI scheme.
In the meantime, thank you to all our excellent NHS staff for the work they do, and the service they provide for our community.