Shrewsbury Hospital: ‘The staff appear not to know what good care looks like’

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Staff continue to describe and demonstrate disempowerment to change current practice; this has been a recurring theme across all grades of health professionals.” During the inspection in June, there were “significant safety concerns” despite staffing levels that meant poor care could not be linked to a shortage of workers, he said, adding: “One ward had eight nursing staff for 13 patients, as an example. This is however reliant on the trust having appropriate oversight and monitoring within wards and departments; something which continues to be inadequate.” Patient safety concerns Prof Baker said there were “ongoing issues which the trust has failed to address in a timely manner which impact upon the safety of patients”. While senior nurses acknowledged concerns over pressures sores and falls they were “at a loss as to how to address them” adding: “The staff appear not to know what good care looks like. This learning hasn’t been factored into the implementation of the new care planning documentation.” He added: “There are a number of examples where a lack of trust wide learning can be demonstrated, with a narrow focus on a specific highlighted issue and a lack of holistic consideration of the wider risk this issue may relate to, such as restraint and pressure care.” Wider NHS support The chief inspector said neighbouring NHS trusts had supported the trust and that hospital bosses in the region recognised “the safety issues needed significant steps to be taken” after a summit in February.