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Mixed ratings for surgery at NHS trust hospitals

Marcus White
BBC News
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust The Beach building at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, as seen from distance. The white, multi-storey, compartmented building sits on a grassy bank behind trees.University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Bournemouth Hospital's surgery department had "near misses", according to inspectors

Surgical departments at two hospitals run by the same NHS trust have received mixed reviews from inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it revisited Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital in January due to previous concerns.

It said Bournemouth "required improvement" due to safety and leadership issues, but Poole achieved a "good" rating.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust said it had addressed a number of concerns and was proud of its "skilled" and "caring" staff.

The CQC reports said operations at the two sites were frequently cancelled due to a lack of staff, beds or equipment.

In January, 234 patients had surgery cancelled on the day of the procedure.

Overall, 57% of patients had to wait more than 18 weeks to be seen and treated, according to figures from the NHS trust.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust Siobhan Harrington smiles at the camera. She has shoulder-length, brown, wavy hair and wears a black cardigan over a red top with an NHS lanyard.University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
The NHS trust's chief executive Siobhan Harrington said she was proud of her staff

Bournemouth's surgical department was rated "good" for being effective, caring and responsive.

However, there had been "near misses relating to equipment not always being available" and "frequent oxygen cylinder shortages on wards".

Inspectors also reported "cluttered corridors" and out-of-date equipment including a throat tube introducer that expired in April 2023.

The CQC concluded: "The high number of issues showed a lack of senior leadership oversight."

Poole Hospital was found to have improved since its last report in 2023, when inspectors found safety issues.

The CQC said internationally-educated nurses had been successfully introduced at both sites to reduce staff shortages.

The NHS trust's chief executive Siobhan Harrington said: "I am very proud that the CQC reports highlight that colleagues across our surgical services are skilled, capable and passionate about providing the best possible care.

"Patients also told the CQC that they were treated with kindness and warmth, even when our services were busy.

"The CQC shared with us where improvements were needed and we immediately addressed a number of concerns."

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