Published on 15 October
The Care Quality Commission has found ‘significant improvements’ in children’s and young people’s services at East Kent Hospitals, rating the service good for ‘safe’ and ‘well-led’ after an inspection in July.
The CQC published its latest reports into the Trust’s child health and maternity services today.
CQC report into services for children and young people at the WIlliam Harvey Hospital
CQC report into services for children and young people at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital
The CQC’s overall rating for children’s services has improved from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’. Safe and well-led moved from inadequate to good. As this was a focused inspection, no ratings were produced for caring, effective and responsive, and the previous ratings (good for caring, requires improvement for effective and responsive) remain in place.
In children’s services, CQC inspectors found examples of outstanding practice, including the Trust’s Needle-lil help clinics for children with diabetes who have a phobia of needles, and training to help staff understand the needs of children with mental health conditions and learning disabilities. This is partly delivered by adults who have experience of being a child living with those issues.
“We are pleased that the CQC has recognised the hard work and commitment of staff and the significant improvements that they have made for children, young people and their families,” said Sarah Shingler, Chief Nursing Officer.
“We know there is still more we can do to make sure we always provide the best possible care for all our young patients and their families, and we will continue to build on the improvements we have made to date.”
