No acute trust now rated ‘inadequate’ as CQC upgrades troubled provider

The last acute trust deemed “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission has had its rating improved to “requires improvement”, the regulator has announced today.

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals Trust has been rated “inadequate” since November 2021. Until today, it was the only acute trust in England to have the lowest possible combined CQC rating.

Inspectors said leaders were visible and approachable, but kept the trust’s leadership rating as “requires improvement.” This was unchanged from the previous inspection.

Meanwhile, maternity services at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, which for years have been under intense scrutiny over multiple instances of poor care and scores of baby deaths, have also been upgraded, this time from “requires improvement” to “good”.

Inspectors visiting in October and November 2023 said there had been a “positive shift” in culture with staff saying they felt safer to speak up.

The CQC’s report said that overall, people were receiving a higher standard of care with “staff now proud to work for the trust” and SaTH was “working hard to help rebuild people’s confidence” in its services.

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Source: HSJ, 15 May 2024