Unannounced inspection held at Stoke Mandeville Hospital over concerns about children's emergency department

An unannounced inspection was held at Stoke Mandeville Hospital after concerns were raised over some of the institution’s services.

The Care Quality Commission has released the findings from an additional inspection held at the hospital this morning (11 August).

Issues with the hospital’s children’s emergency department were raised with the independent regulator.

The CQC states it received information suggesting that the hospital did not always recognise early signs of sepsis and in some cases investigations in the department were not always thorough.

However, inspectors did not discover such instances. The sepsis screening tool used was found to be between 80 and 90 per cent compliant.

The report states: “Staff did not always use translator services when required, and there was no accessible information to inform children, young people and their families this service was available. This meant there was a risk of breakdown in communication which could impact on understanding.”

Stoke Mandeville Hospital must provide the CQC with a report showing how it will improve its treatment of diseases, disorders and injuries as a result of the concerns raised.

Another key finding from the report, which did not grade the individual services, was about staff not always knowing their roles and accountabilities when reporting incidents to the NHS trust.

Positives from the report found that staff usually assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. Leaders used reliable information systems, while staff typically felt respected, supported, and valued.

Leaders were seen as capable operators with the necessary skills and abilities to run the hospital.

Staff shortages were noted at times by the CQC, but the commission noted that the hospital has procedures in place to ensure the levels were safe.

Inspectors noted a healthy culture where a majority of staff, patients, and their families, could raise concerns without fear.

Patient feedback inspected by the CQC was mostly complimentary about staff working at the hospital.

Staff were described as “friendly, helpful and compassionate,” by one patient. Most negative feedback inspectors trawled through related to extended wait times at the facility.

A representative from the Buckinghamshire NHS Trust states the organisation was pleased with the report. Areas highlighted for improvement are already being addressed, the trust states.

Executive staff at the trust felt that the report was positive overall, whilst it acknowledges the need to improve its translator services.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated the inspection discovered issues with how the hospital identified sepsis. This was incorrect concerns regarding such errors were brought to the CQC, but inspectors did not discover such errors in the process used by staff in the children’s emergency department.