Agenda item

Members to receive a report that provides details of the dormitory eradication programme together with a brief update on the LPT response to CQC inspection.

Members received a report providing an update around the dormitory eradication programme.

It was noted that

·         In 2018 four specific wards were identified to be changed and £9.2m provided to make those changes to improve safety and ensure dignity of patients, this also helped with infection control especially during the covid pandemic

·         3 out of the 4 wards identified had been completed as highlighted by CQC in their inspection and work on the 4^th had started and would be completed by next year.

Members viewed images of the improvements to the wards noting they were brighter, more attractive and provided patients privacy which also helped improve their mental health. Improvements included the wards being painted throughout, improved Wi-Fi signals, replacing staffing call points, and roll out of wrist bands for patients which was another feature captured in the CQC inspection last year.

It was noted that feedback had been gathered from patients and staff resulting in the latest installation of modern doors using most recent technology which could indicate if someone was looking for a ligature point and also anti-barricade.

Members expressed some concern about the impact of the programme on the  number of bedspaces. It was advised that 27 bed spaces (from a total of 247) had been lost, all but two of those were in older people wards but the plan was to return to the original number of beds and a bid had been made to support that with the outcome expected in July. In terms of impact, the situation was unchanged as it was always a difficulty to get people into beds and the shortage was a national issue. To address the issue there was now more emphasis on community services in first instance and trying to prevent hospitalisation.

As far as the programme of works, scope for slippage had been built into the programmes, although there were risks within projects of this scale and size. The main concerns were around supply chain in general and long lead in times which made it difficult to switch supplier. The current economic situation and rise in inflation was adding to price. Funds for the programme were based on initial costs but that included a small contingency and at the moment the programme was on target and within budget.

Reference was made to discussion at the last meeting which talked about the wider issues arising from the CQC inspection and its findings. As regards the challenge around the Trust being given a Requires Improvement (RI) rating it was important to note the inspection related to only 3 core services out of 15 core services.  It was also noted that the report at this meeting was only in relation to the dormitory programme, although acknowledged that across the wider estate the dormitory programme was a significant reason why the ratings were the way they were. Members were informed that the CQC visit was nearly a year ago and a lot of progress had been made by the Trust since, e.g., maintenance issues had been reduced 75%. The CQC had also revisited recently and were happy with the progression and improvements and would be writing to that effect soon.

It was queried how long an average stay was at the Bradgate Unit and how the programme might impact on that. It was responded that  there were different ward settings across the bed base with facilities depending on a patient’s condition, e.g., acute wards and long stay rehabilitation. Phasing of the dormitory eradication programme took a very clear staged approach for safety of patients.

The Chair summarised the discussion noting the committees interest in an update around work done by the Trust to address workplace culture and confirmed the committees support for the bid for additional funds to support regaining bedspaces and asked for the outcome of the bid to be informed to the committee in due course.

AGREED:

That an update on progress of all matters arising from outcomes of the CQC inspection and including the dormitory eradication programme be reported to the committee at its November meeting.