INSPECTORS from the Keogh team have praised Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for the huge amount of work and improvements which have taken place this year, and said they would be happy for their family to be treated at the hospital.
Members of the team, who first visited the Trust in May 2013, spent two days at Basildon Hospital in November to review the progress. In their official report on the second visit, released today, they said they were fully assured the improvements had been made in 15 out of 28 areas identified as needed action in May.
For a further 12 concerns they were partly assured but said it would take a while to tell if the changes made had been fully embedded. Just one area around medicines management was not assured, but some good practice had been noted. In the summary of visit the Keogh team said: “The Trust has undertaken a huge amount of work on the action plan.
Wards felt quieter, calmer and were better staffed with evidence of good care being seen on the wards.” The inspectors also commended the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) saying: “The PALs service in particular has been transformed and the visibility and quality of the PALs leadership was singled out for particular praise.”
Clare Panniker, Chief Executive, said: “I am really proud of the significant progress that the Keogh team noted. Our staff have worked really hard to improve the services we provide to our local community. It is especially touching to hear that the Keogh panel would be happy to be treated here or their families to be cared for here; to me that is the ultimate test.”
