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Hospital Trust Leadership Needs Improvement, Watchdog Says
26 Aug
Summary
- Inspectors found leadership at the trust requires improvement.
- Staff expressed concerns about not feeling able to speak out.
- Despite issues, inspectors noted recent improvements and strengths.
Health inspectors have identified that leadership at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust needs improvement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited the trust in January and expressed concerns regarding how well-led the organization was.
Inspectors noted that while leaders had clear ambitions and a strategy, these were not fully integrated across the organization. A significant concern was that staff did not feel safe to speak up about changes or recent restructuring, fearing their concerns would not be addressed. This lack of open communication can hinder learning and potentially put patient safety at risk.
Despite these issues, the CQC acknowledged areas of strength and improvements made since the previous inspection in July 2021. Stakeholders described the trust's leadership as open and transparent, and significant changes to the board were highlighted as positive steps. The CQC will continue to monitor the trust closely.
The trust's chief executive stated that they fully acknowledge the findings and are responding with sustained action to improve culture, governance, and patient care consistency. The focus remains on embedding improvements and ensuring patients feel heard and supported.
