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NHS trust rating plunges as lack of nurses leaves patients unwashed

Trust says it is making positive changes after inspectors raised concerns over high levels of ‘burnout, stress and work overload’
​  Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton

Trust says it is making positive changes after inspectors raised concerns over high levels of ‘burnout, stress and work overload’

Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton
Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton Picture: Alamy

A top-performing hospital trust has seen its inspection rating plummet following concerns that a shortage of nurses meant patients were not being washed properly.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust dropped from ‘outstanding’ to ‘requires improvement’ following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a report published on 15 May revealed.

The CQC said the October 2022 visit was in part prompted by whistleblowing concerns from staff about staffing levels, leadership and patient safety.

Inspectors raised particular concerns about staffing levels in the surgery department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where nursing shortages meant patients were at a greater risk of falls and personal hygiene was being compromised as patients often only had face and hand washes as there was no time to bathe them.

Inspectors found managers frequently had to be included in staff numbers to support safe care

Inspectors found managers frequently had to be included in staff numbers to support safe care, including on the day of the inspection, when the divisional lead nurse for neurosciences and stroke services was mostly on the recovery ward.

The overall rating for the Royal Sussex County Hospital fell from ‘good’ to ‘inadequate’, as did the hospital’s ratings for safety and leadership, although it continued to be rated ‘outstanding’ for caring.

The CQC also raised serious concerns about the wider culture at the trust, with inspectors reporting high levels of ‘burnout, stress and work overload’.

The report said: ‘Staff spoke about their frustration and disappointment when potentially serious concerns went unheard and unaddressed.’

Others said they felt there was a culture of bullying and harassment – starting at senior leadership level – which pressured staff towards unsafe decision-making.

Trust chief executive says it has made rapid progress since inspection

CQC director of operations in the south Deanna Westwood said: ‘At the time of our inspection we found staff on the front line doing their best to provide safe and effective care and treatment, despite significant pressures and a challenging working environment.

‘However, staff and people using services were being let down by senior leaders.’

Trust chief executive George Findlay, who had been in post for only four months at the time of the inspection, said positive changes had been made before and after the CQC visit, including a new leadership structure, recruitment at all levels and a big effort to encourage a more open culture.

He added: ‘I’m extremely proud of the huge strides colleagues have made but we all recognise how much work still lies ahead. The seven months since this inspection have seen rapid progress – now we need to push again.’


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