Hospital found to be hitting targets (From Basingstoke Gazette)

CQC gave Basingstoke hospital seal of approval

5:00pm Saturday 20th October 2012 in Local By Helen Morton

Basingstoke hospital and its staff have been given the seal of approval from an NHS watchdog which found they are complying with all essential standards of quality and safety.

The most recent report from the Care Quality Commission was produced after an unannounced visit to the hospital, in Aldermaston Road.

Inspectors looked at how patients were treated, whether they were getting safe and appropriate care, the administration of medicines, staffing numbers, staff training and internal checking systems.

The report also praised the hospital for the way patients were supported by staff, saying: “Most patients told us they appreciated the way staff supported them and provided care.

“We were told, ‘they give you their time although they are busy’. Most were positive about the quality of care and overall experiences.”

The hospital was found to be meeting all standards, though the report contained suggestions about how it could improve in some areas.

The report states: “Some patients were not happy with the number of moves to different beds or wards they had experienced during their admission.

“One patient had been told at 9pm the night before our visit that they were being moved. The move took place at midnight. “This was an aspect of care and welfare that patients expressed greatest dissatisfaction with.”

The inspection team also found that food and fluid charts were not always being filled in consistently, and that staff training in some areas, such as equality and diversity, was low.

Sandra McArdle, associate director of governance at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Basingstoke hospital, said it was good the hospital staff are meeting the essential standards, adding: “It is important for us to look at the details and to see what we can learn.”