The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated leadership at Leeds
Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as requires improvement following an
inspection in June.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust consists of Leeds General
Infirmary, St James's University Hospital, Leeds Children's
Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Wharfedale Hospital, Seacroft
Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute.
This inspection looked at how well-led the trust is and was
carried out following concerns identified during a recent
inspection of the trust's maternity and neonatal services when
enforcement action was taken, and a warning notice was issued.
CQC now gives NHS trusts a single trust-level rating focusing on
leadership and culture that replaces all other ratings at a trust
level. This simpler, more focused approach to rating NHS trusts
reflects the strong correlation CQC has found between the quality
of leadership at an organisation and the quality of care being
delivered. CQC continues to inspect and rate individual hospital
services and locations to capture how people are directly
experiencing care at that level.
Rob Assall, CQC director of operations in the north,
said:
“During our well-led inspection of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS
Trust, we found leaders were aware of the challenges they faced,
however some weren't as clear on how services could be improved
which negatively impacted on how services were run.
“Leaders didn't always listen to concerns, and some staff had
negative experiences when they voiced issues, which impacted
their wellbeing and the quality of people's care. We received
several in-depth accounts from staff of bullying and harassment
in the workplace which provided evidence of behaviours which
didn't align with the trust's values.
“However, it was positive that leaders built strong relationships
with local and national partnership organisations. There was a
strong and longstanding partnership with other trusts in the area
which enabled leaders to share information and improve care.
“Leaders are aware they need to improve the effectiveness of
their board and have taken steps to do this.
“We have told leaders the areas where improvements are needed to
ensure the trust is led successfully, and we will continue to
monitor them, including through future inspections, to ensure the
necessary improvements are made.”
Inspectors found during their well-led inspection of
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust:
- The board wasn't working as cohesively as it should to be.
Feedback reflected that the openness and culture at board level
was mixed.
- Leaders aimed to have a positive, compassionate and listening
culture which promoted trust between themselves and staff,
however this was inconsistent across services and at board level.
- The trust was working with the local authority and other
partners to improve discharge when people needed additional
support in their own home or care homes.
- The trust's board members had diverse skills, experience and
lived experience of using services.
- Leaders aspired to become one of the greenest NHS Trusts in
the UK. Plans included improving sustainability throughout the
organisation.
The report will be published on CQC's website in the next few
days.
Contact
For media enquiries:
Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of
office hours can find out how to contact the team on
the website.
Notes to Editors
CQC uses feedback from people using services, their loved ones,
and staff to help detect any changes in care. CQC also uses this
information to help it decide when and where to inspect. If
there is evidence people are at immediate risk of harm, CQC can
and will take action to ensure that people are being kept safe.
CQC encourages people to give feedback about their care to via
the details below.
- Give feedback via the website
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing the SignLive and text relay
service enable you to give feedback in BSL or via the
Relay UK app.
- Telephone - 03000 616161
Downloads
CQC inspection report -
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (well-led)
Download
