A recent government-ordered review has uncovered deep-seated concerns regarding care and safety at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT). The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that issues at the trust had persisted for some time, with problems reported regarding access to care and staffing and leadership. The review was prompted by a series of attacks that occurred in June this year.
The report also highlighted issues at Rampton Hospital – one of three high-security institutions in England and Wales – which has now been recommended for relicensing for no more than twelve months. The CQC has also suggested that Rampton be paired with another high-secure hospital in the role of a “critical friend” and that it cease using staff from other areas to bolster staffing numbers.
While improvements have been noted, CQC director of mental health Chris Dzikiti stated that the review has identified clear recommendations for the trust to protect patients, families, and the wider public from potential harm. He added that the report has identified ongoing concerns regarding safety and patient care.
A third part of the review examining the care of triple-killer Valdo Calocane – a patient at the trust – is due to be published later this summer. The CQC has rated Rampton hospital as ‘requires improvement’ across the five inspections held since July 2019. Despite improvements, concerns remain about the culture of bullying within the institution, with patients reportedly being subjected to derogatory comments about their body shape or health concerns
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