More Royal Surrey services rated as ‘outstanding’ by Care Quality Commission | News

Royal Surrey has officially been recognised as offering ‘outstanding’ healthcare, across a number of its services after a visit by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

After visiting the Trust in February for a routine inspection, the CQC has today (Monday 22 June) reported its findings, rating two more core services as ‘outstanding’.

• The rating for medical care (including older people’s care) has improved from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’.
• The rating for end of life care has improved from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’.
• Use of resources has improved from ‘good’ (while in shadow form) to ‘outstanding’.

The CQC also inspected urgent and emergency care and, even though they were already dealing with Covid-19 patients at the time, the service has retained its rating of ‘good’.

These join the other ‘outstanding’ ratings for maternity services and for the Trust’s responsiveness and mean that all core services and all aspects of the Trust are either rated as ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’.

Louise Stead, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, commented:

"I am enormously proud of this latest recognition from the CQC and of all the Royal Surrey Family. This is a true testament to the outstanding colleagues and services we have here at the Trust and the fantastic partnership we have with other agencies.

"Although we have been awarded three extra ‘outstandings’, the CQC had to temporarily suspend all routine inspections due to Covid-19 and so unfortunately could not undertake its ‘well-led’ inspection.

"Disappointingly, this means that the overall rating of the Trust cannot be changed until this has been assessed, but we are looking forward to the next opportunity to impress the CQC."

The CQC report praised the Trust’s ‘innovative approach’ to providing healthcare, particularly for people with multiple and complex needs. It also noted the Trust’s efforts in engaging with patients and the community to plan and manage services.

The Trust’s medical care leaders were described as having an "inspiring shared purpose" and providing staff with opportunities for career development.

Sue Sjuve, Chair of the Trust commented on the CQC’s recognition of the Trust’s joint planning and partnership working with other agencies. She said:

"We truly value the benefit of working as an integral part of our local health and care system, which has paid dividends over the recent months. To see this collaboration recognised and highlighted through the CQC reports demonstrates how embedded these relationships really are."