Healthcare Watchdog Orders Derriford Hospital to Implement ‘Rapid Improvements’

Derriford Hospital’s leadership has been instructed by the healthcare watchdog to implement “rapid and widespread improvements” addressing overcrowding in its emergency department, according to a recently published report. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) conducted an unannounced inspection at the Plymouth hospital in March, prompted by concerns regarding slow and substandard care within the emergency department. The CQC’s new report indicates that University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust received a warning notice, mandating urgent enhancements to safety, access, and overcrowding conditions by July 21. Mark Hackett, the trust’s interim chief executive, acknowledged that while numerous changes have been implemented since the inspection, further work remains necessary. The report assigned the hospital a rating of “requires improvement,” mirroring the assessment from a 2021 inspection that identified deficiencies in care and bed availability. Derriford Hospital, the largest medical facility in the south-west of England, provides services to both Devon and Cornwall. Catherine Campbell, the CQC’s deputy director of operations for the south region, stated that inspectors observed continued lengthy waits for patients in ambulances and significant overcrowding within the emergency department waiting area. She noted, “This included people experiencing long waits to be triaged, treated or discharged.” Furthermore, “One person’s relative was told there may be a 48-hour wait for their loved one to be admitted to hospital.” Ms Campbell also mentioned that some patients reported prompt treatment and offered favorable comments regarding the staff. She emphasized, “This doesn’t alter the fact that in October 2021, we highlighted the same problems to the trust’s leadership and local stakeholders.” She concluded, “Continued focus is required on what the trust can do to improve the safety, quality and experience of care for people through the emergency department.” The trust stated that hospital staff have achieved “considerable improvements for patients arriving as emergencies” since the inspection. Mr Hackett affirmed, “our staff are doing all they can to ensure the safety of patients at all times.” He added, “We know there is still work to do but it is important to reflect the improvements we have made since the inspection, which are many.” He further commented, “We have made significant improvements since March, but we are striving for better and there is more to do.” Darryn Allcorn, the hospital’s chief nurse and director of integrated clinical professions, stated that the team has implemented some “radical changes”. He noted that the report “was very reflective of where we were as an organisation at that particular stage”. Allcorn added, “Move forward eight months and we have made some really radical changes in terms of how we’ve seen improvements in care, in reduction in delays and then the wider challenges in terms of changing our models of care to improve our patient outcomes.”