Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has become one of only five NHS providers to achieve the top rating twice.
“This rating pays testament to the dedication, skill and professionalism of staff”
Neil Large and Jane Tomkinson
In the health watchdog’s report, which was published on Wednesday, inspectors highlighted how staff went the “extra mile” for their patients, providing compassionate care that patients said “exceeded their expectations”.
In addition, staff at the trust were praised for their “strong collaboration, team work and support” across all functions.
Meanwhile, the CQC also commended the safety systems the trust had in place, which inspectors said “empowered” staff to raise any safety concerns immediately.
The report praised the “open culture” at the trust which meant that any safety issues raised by staff, patients and carers were valued as being integral to learning and improvement.
Inspectors also highlighted how services were “tailored to meet the needs of individuals”.
The trust allowed visiting any hour of the day to help support patients’ emotional and cultural wishes, and offered theatre and ward visits prior to a patient’s surgery for those who were particularly anxious, noted the report.
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital was also commended for its use of innovative practice including the usage of robotic assistance in surgery to help improve patient outcomes.
On behalf of the board of directors and council of governors at the trust, Neil Large, trust chairman, and Jane Tomkinson, chief executive, paid tribute to the trust’s 1,600 staff and volunteers.
LHCH new main entrance
Liverppool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
They said in a joint statement: “We’re very proud to have been awarded this top rating for a second successive time.
“The CQC inspection process is rigorous and rightly challenging, and this rating pays testament to the dedication, skill and professionalism of staff in every ward and department at LHCH.
“It’s also reassuring for patients and their families that they can expect to receive outstanding levels of care.”
The trust was initially awarded the ‘outstanding’ rating in September 2016, when it became the first specialist trust in the country to achieve the highest accolade.
The latest report was based on inspections carried out by the CQC in January and February in 2019.
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/professional-regulation/liverpool-specialist-trust-rated-outstanding-for-second-time/7029602.article