Inspectors To Examine Eight Key Service Areas

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have begun their investigation into standards at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals Trust.

A previous CQC inspection at the Trust found a “culture of bullying” which its inspectors said came from the actions of senior management./p>

The watchdog will be inspecting eight key service areas at the Trust, including medical care, surgery, intensive/critical care, maternity care, Accident and Emergency departments, paediatrics/children’s care, end-of-life care, and outpatients.

Members of staff, patients and relatives of those treated at the Trust’s hospitals will also be consulted about the standard of care

The Trust will be provided with a rating following the inspection and areas of poor or excellent care will be highlighted.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, chief inspector of hospitals at the CQC, said: “We know there is too much variation in quality – these new in-depth inspections will allow us to get a much more detailed picture of care in hospitals than ever before.”

Guy Forster, a Partner and medical negligence expert at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

The inspection of NHS Trusts by the CQC plays a crucial role in understanding areas for improvement and ensuring patients are provided with the best possible standard of care. <br/> <br/>“This inspection will hopefully find that the Trust has taken on board the advice from the previous report and that standards have improved in the areas highlighted. <br/> <br/>“It is absolutely vital that should any failings be found in the current inspection; that they are highlighted to the Trust quickly and that steps are implemented as soon as possible to correct them and reassure patients that they will receive the best possible care at the Trust’s facilities. Guy Forster - Partner