'Management not the issue' at Grimsby's hospital

BOSSES at Grimsby's troubled hospital have stressed "management is not the issue" at the Trust in light of the damning Keogh Review.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospital Trust boss Karen Jackson described the review as "incredibly powerful" at the latest meeting of the Trust Board of Directors.

But she said the issues at the Trust – which as a result of the review is now in special measures – were not management based.

She told the board: "The Keogh Review was incredibly powerful and very helpful, but some of the language used nationally has made what it means confusing.

"Special measures for an NHS organisation means something different than, say, in an educational setting. For some organisations, that means bringing in a support team to support or replace existing management.

"But Keogh has said that is not the issue at this organisation. There will be no new management team, the management is not the issue at this Trust."

The Trust is now subject to "intense monitoring" of how they progress with the action plan drawn up as a result of the watershed Review.

This will include reporting back to the regulator, Monitor, on a monthly basis and having unplanned visits to each of the Trust's three hospitals at Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole.

Despite the review, 99 per cent of inpatients who responded to the first UK "Friends And Family Test" in April and May said it was extremely likely or likely they would recommend Grimsby hospital's wards to family or friends, while 97 per cent would recommend the A&E department – exceeding the national average.

Chief nurse Dr Karen Dunderdale said: "This is very positive for us as a Trust, in comparison with the rest of England, we have out performed them. Our scores have consistently exceeded the national average. They are exceptional."

However, just one per cent of A&E patients and 10 per cent of inpatients responded. There were no negative scores for any of the departments.

One patient on the haematology and oncology ward at Grimsby wrote: "The staff in this unit are fantastic and do a terrific job."

A Grimsby A&E patient said: "Excellent care, communication, compassion. Everything was of the best standard."

Mrs Jackson praised frontline staff, stating: "Considering where we have been with Keogh, this is fantastic news. We have been doing all this work. I am really proud of everyone, you have done a great job."