Patients praise St Thomas' Hospital staff in CQC inspection report

Health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlights praise from patients in a report published today (Tuesday 24 December) following an unannounced inspection visit to St Thomas’ Hospital in November.

This inspection focused on patients who were being admitted for, or who had undergone, surgery. The inspectors talked to patients, relatives and staff during their visit in areas including operating theatres, wards and the Intensive Care Unit.

Staff at St Thomas’ met all the essential standards of quality and safety inspected – these included the care and welfare of people who use our services, meeting the nutritional needs of patients, and assessing and monitoring the quality of services.

Patients who spoke to the CQC inspectors made some very positive comments about their care. For example, patients described staff on the surgical wards at St Thomas’ as “fabulous”, “really good”, “friendly and informative”.

The CQC inspectors who visited the surgical wards said: “We observed that nursing staff were responsive to patients’ needs. Nursing staff told us there was an hourly round, when they asked patients: ‘Are you in pain? Are you comfortable? Is there anything you need?’”

Patients also praised the information they were given and the opportunity they had for discussion before surgery in the pre-assessment outpatient clinic. One patient who spoke to the CQC inspectors said: “The procedure was fully explained. I was fully involved in the discussions.”

Chief Nurse Eileen Sills says: “I am delighted with the report published by the CQC following their inspection visit to St Thomas’ in November, especially the extremely positive praise from patients.

“Our staff work very hard and it is great to read such positive feedback from patients. However, we are not complacent and we will continue to listen to our patients so that we can learn from their experiences and further improve our care.”

The full report is available on the CQC website.