COMMISSION INSPECTORS PRAISE SURGERY TEAM REFELCTING 'COMPASSIONATE CARE DELIVERED EVERY DAY BY ALL THE STAFF'

BOSSES at Atherstone's main hospital believe a ringing endorsement of its surgery service by Government inspectors is a pointer to "wider improvement" and progress being made at the trust.

Executives at the George Eliot Hospital said the 'good' rating achieved in the Care Quality Commission's report was a testament to the "hard work and dedication" of the team.

Surgery staff were praised for treating patients with compassion and kindness and for respecting their privacy and dignity while taking account of their individual needs.

But chief executive Glen Burley promised the Nuneaton hospital would not rest as there was "more to do" over the time people have to wait to use services in a determined bid to lift the trust out of its overall 'requires improvement' status.

CQC inspectors highlighted a range of examples of good practice within the service during their time on the hospital site in March.

The report highlighted how the surgery service managed safety incidents well and learned from them – collecting information and using it to improve services.

Staff also drew praise for working well together for the benefit of patients, advising them on how to lead healthier lives and using effective teamwork to deliver services that met individual patients' needs.

Inspectors also noted that the team felt "respected, supported and valued" – understanding the service's vision and remaining focused on the needs of patients receiving care.

Welcoming the report, Mr Burley said: "This report is testament to the hard work and dedication of our surgery service and also indicates the wider improvement that is happening at the trust.

"Our commitment to providing high quality, safe services comes through strongly in the inspectors' findings.

"However, there is more to do and we will make progress towards reducing the time people have to wait to use our services.

"Our new modular ward arrived on site last week and is on schedule to open as a dedicated surgical ward in September.

"We are also working with our partners across the health system in Warwickshire to embed and maintain the innovation we put in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This includes closer working with our colleagues in primary care and using communication technology to reduce the need for patients to have to visit our site for their care."

"I look forward to welcoming the CQC back to see the progress we are making. There is much more we would like to share."

Director of nursing Daljit Athwal added "Congratulations to our surgery team.

"What a fabulous report and reflects the compassionate care delivered every day by all our hospital staff."

The inspection of the hospital's other key services was suspended on March 16 following the CQC's national decision to halt all routine scrutiny to reduce the pressure on health and social care organisations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last week the surgery team at the hospital joined colleagues nationwide in celebrating Operating Department Practitioner Day.