Inspectors have praised the A&E departments at Durham and Darlington hospitals, easing concerns about safety and performance
Durham: The A&E departments at two hospitals in the North East have received a thumbs up from inspectors. They found that worries about safety were not justified.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated the urgent and emergency care at the University Hospital of North Durham as good, which is an improvement from its previous rating. Darlington Memorial Hospital also kept its good rating.
These inspections happened last year after some concerns were raised about safety incidents and long waiting times. But when the inspectors showed up, they found everything was in order.
A senior doctor from the County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, which runs both hospitals, said they’re happy with the progress. However, they know that services are under a lot of pressure, just like many places in the UK.
The CQC team noted that the A&E at University Hospital of North Durham meets the diverse needs of the community and that the staff are dedicated to improving patient safety.
Victoria Marsden, the CQC’s deputy director of operations in the North, mentioned that the staff put patients first and that both services are led by strong leaders who embody the right values.
Patients at Darlington Memorial Hospital reported excellent care, with staff being responsive and helpful. When things got busy, the leaders adjusted staffing to keep wait times down.
At University Hospital North Durham, patients were also met with friendly staff and didn’t wait long to be seen. They made sure that elderly patients who needed transport were looked after until it arrived.
Staff worked well with other services, like mental health teams, to ensure everyone’s needs were met. They also fostered a good safety culture, where incidents were investigated, and lessons learned.
Ms. Marsden said the CQC would keep an eye on these services to ensure they maintain their standards and that patients continue to receive safe care.
Dr. Shafie Kamarrudin, a consultant, expressed satisfaction with the CQC’s findings. He credited the hard work and resilience of the teams at both hospitals for the improved ratings.
He highlighted the safe and responsive care provided, along with the warmth and professionalism patients experience, even during busy times. However, he acknowledged the ongoing pressures and increased demand on services.
This positive news comes as the NHS faces challenges from a “quad-demic” of flu, RSV, norovirus, and Covid-19. In December alone, the County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust saw nearly 13,000 A&E visits.
