North Middlesex getting better, but still not good enough

North Middlesex University Hospital has been told it ‘requires improvement’ following an inspection by health watchdogs.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report rated three out of eight core services as ‘good’, compared to just one following a previous inspection in 2016, but this wasn’t enough to raise the hospital’s overall rating. Picked out for praise were maternity, surgery, and intensive care services.

Deborah Wheeler, director of nursing and midwifery, said: “Everyone with a connection to North Mid – patients, staff, local residents, and partners – has the right to be proud of the progress we’ve made over the past two years.

“The improvements are visible not only in the ‘tartan table’ of CQC ratings, but almost everywhere you go across the hospital, from the wards, clinics, theatres, staff rooms, and public areas. We are building a strong team, and strong relationships with local partners, and we are looking forward to tackling the next phase of improvement with vigour.

“We’re still rated as ‘requires improvement’ overall, so let there be no mistake – we are absolutely committed to getting better, for our patients, our local community, and our colleagues. But there is no doubt that we have built a very strong foundation for continued progress, and that we are already seeing significant green shoots of improvement.”

The CQC report included a detailed list of areas for improvement, including eleven ‘must dos’ which related to individual services, including better record-keeping; providing an out-of-hours rota for gastroenterology; improving care for children mental health conditions; helping staff report incidents of abuse; and meeting the four-hour waiting time target for accident and emergency patients. The NHS trust which runs the hospital says steps have already been taken to address some of these recommendations.

Steve Russell, NHS Improvement’s executive regional managing director, said: “The CQC inspection shows the trust has made some very encouraging improvement, with three service lines rated as ‘good’ and the CQC recognising the caring, compassionate staff who work at North Mid. The improvements will have been down to the hard work of everyone at North Mid, and they should be pleased with progress so far.

“While there is more to do to drive progress further and faster, we are confident that the trust will continue build on the successes that the CQC identified in A&E and maternity.

“We will continue to support the trust as it addresses all the recommendations highlighted in the report, in order to develop North Mid into the strong, vibrant, innovative provider that the populations of Enfield and Haringey deserve.”

Read the full CQC report:
Visit cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/new_reports/AAAH2467.pdf

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