Not for publication or broadcast
before 0001 hours Thursday 18 Oct 2007
Responding to the publication of the
Healthcare Commission's annual health check report, , said:
"This is the toughest and most comprehensive
assessment of the NHS ever. Our expectations are high and we
expect NHS trusts to improve every year. That is why we set up
the Healthcare Commission to assess every NHS organisation,
carrying out inspections where necessary to ensure they meet high
standards and deliver for their patients.
"This independent verdict on the NHS shows
clear improvement, with more trusts getting an excellent rating,
more trusts improving on last year's performance and fewer in the
lowest category.
"The well performing and improving Trusts are
to be congratulated, particularly the 19 trusts that scored
excellent on both use of resources and quality.
"But we need to see more improvement from
those classed as weak.
"I have asked David Nicholson, the chief
executive of the NHS, to urgently meet the four trusts who have
been weak on both quality and use of resources for two years
running to assess what action they are taking to remedy the
situation. If this is not satisfactory we will consider more
radical action. Stringent assessments would need to be made
regarding the most appropriate course of action but one of the
options could be takeovers by well performing
Trusts."
"I have also asked Strategic Health
Authorities to publish and implement action plans within 30 days
for trusts who are weak on both categories. This helped improve
poor performers last year.
On the issue of hospital infections, he
added:
"Safety is my top priority. That means
everyone in the NHS doing much more than in the past to get the
basics right - washing hands, cleaner hospitals, more effective
infection prevention. The standards set for hygiene compliance
are tough and, following the new statutory hygiene code, have
been harder in the last year as we have raised the bar higher.
The Commission is clear that, although a minority of trusts need
to do more on infection control, they do not believe patients
should regard these Trusts as unsafe.
"To make sure we take every possible step I
have therefore asked the Commission to inspect these Trusts
again. If they are not satisfied with the action that the trust
is taking to ensure compliance, they will be able to issue
improvement notices, and in exceptional circumstances place the
Trust under special measures so that changes can be made. Good
cleanliness and hygiene are non-negotiable.
"We have, and will continue to improve the way
the NHS works to make sure everyone is safe. We will deep clean
every hospital, ward by ward. We have set new uniform rules so
that all staff are 'bare below the elbows' to encourage better
hand washing. We have given matrons power to report directly to
Boards and we will give hospital inspectors the power to close
wards if hygiene is not being given enough
priority."
