Issue - meetings

To give consideration to the Mid Cheshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Quality Account.

Officers from the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust attended to present their 2010/11 Quality Account. It was reported that the Trust were in the second year of their five year ’10 out of Ten’ Quality and Safety Improvement Strategy. It was explained how the priorities in the strategy were focussed around the four domains of quality (Safety, Effectiveness, Experiences and Outcomes). Baseline data had been set for each of the 10 principles and these had been embedded in the appraisal process throughout the Trust.

The officers proceeded to go through each of the ten elements, highlighting which areas had met their targets and which had failed to do so. It was also reported that the Trust ran a consultation each year to analyse whether or not the 10 priorities identified were still relevant and judged as being important by the public.

Prior to inviting questions from the Committee, the Chairman drew attention to a number of figures that were missing with regards to the Trust’s performance against key national priorities. It was suggested that the figures be distributed to the Members of the Committee once available.

Members continued to draw attention to particular elements of the ’10 out of Ten’ strategy which they wished to explore further. Firstly, in terms of patient experience, it was queried why the satisfaction levels were so low. It was answered that the Trust were very disappointed with the figures and that they had set up a steering group to analyse the results and to develop subsequent actions.

In terms of readmissions, it was questioned whether the Trust had confidence in meeting the target set when the current and lower target had not been achieved. It was explained that the development of the integrated discharge team should have a large impact on reducing the number of readmissions and therefore, they were confident in meeting the revised target.

It was questioned whether the Trust felt that their hand cleaning policy was being enforced properly. It was confirmed that this was audited rigorously and that the message was constantly reinforced with staff.

As a final point, it was suggested that in future versions of the Quality Account it would be useful if out-patients were surveyed in more detail. It was answered that this would be something that the Trust would consider.

The Chairman suggested that the ‘easy read’ version should be distributed to Members of the Committee once it was available. As part of this, it was also suggested that it would be useful if a summary of the areas of improvement and their respective actions and measures could be produced.

RESOLVED –

a)     That the Committee note the report

b)     That the figures relating to Key National Priorities be distributed to Members once available.

c)      That the ‘easy read’ version of the Quality Account be made available to Members.