Woodthorpe Hospital

On this page

• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

We previously inspected outpatients jointly with diagnostic imaging so we cannot compare our new ratings directly with previous ratings. This is the first assessment for this service. This key question has been rated good. This means people felt supported, cared for and treated with the dignity and respect.

We saw during our assessment that staff treated patients with kindness, empathy and compassion.

We observed that patients privacy, and dignity was respected at all times.

Staff worked in a highly personalised and holistic way to deliver outstanding care to people. Staff had developed very positive caring and compassionate relationships with people. People were treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect. People said the staff were exceptionally compassionate, meeting their physical and emotional needs.

However, staff survey results did not always support our findings with not all staff feeling recognised for their work or able to share their opinions openly without fear of retribution.

This service scored 87 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Score: 4

There was a strong, patient-centred culture from all staff.

Throughout our assessment we observed patients being treated with compassion, dignity and respect. The patients we spoke with were pleased with the care provided. They told us doctors, nurses and other staff were caring, compassionate, and responded quickly to their needs.

Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, and took account of their individual needs. Staff provided emotional support to patients, families and care givers to minimise their distress. For example, one person told us how they had undergone cataract surgery and that they were “Terrified, however, the nurse held my hand all the way through the surgery and kept regularly telling me how much longer it would take, but it was still the longest 20 minutes of my life.”

Staff were discreet and responsive when caring for patients. Staff took time to interact with patients and those close to them in a respectful and considerate way. Patients said staff treated them well and with kindness.

Score: 4

Staff understood and respected the individual needs of each patient and showed understanding and a non-judgmental attitude when discussing patients care needs.

Staff actively involved patients and those close to them in decisions about their care and treatment.

We observed that staff took time to listen to patients and find out what was important to them or what they were anxious about. Staff worked well to meet people’s individual needs and wishes.

Staff introduced themselves to patients before treating them. A patient told us, “Staff always introduce themselves and listen to you." One patient told us staff responded quickly and with kindness if they needed support.

Score 4

Staff involved patients in discussions about their care. Patients told us information was given to them to enable them to make choices about their diagnosis and treatment in plain language they could understand. They were also given opportunities and enough time to ask questions, raise queries and discuss anything about which they were worried.

People we spoke with as part of our assessment, told us about how well staff treated them and respected them as individuals, how they were informed and given choices about the treatment that was provided.

We observed that patients privacy was respected, and discussions were confidential

We observed staff providing support to a patient who was anxious prior to their planned procedure. They did this in a way which maintained the wellbeing and independence of the patient.

Patients were supported to manage their own health, care and wellbeing to maximise their independence when they left the hospital.

Score 4

Staff took time to listen to patients and find out what was important to patients. Staff worked to meet people’s individual needs and wishes.

During our assessment we observed that notices were displayed at the reception desk and in changing rooms requesting female patients of childbearing age to speak with staff if there was any chance of them being pregnant.

People were supported by staff that were committed to providing high quality care and treatment. Staff had a holistic approach, providing physical, emotional, and psychological support for people using the service and those close to them.

Score 2

Staff worked well as a team. The management had a visible presence and staff told us they could approach them with any concerns.

Leaders had the skills and abilities to run the service. They understood and managed the priorities and issues the service faced. They were visible and approachable in the service for patients and staff and staff could approach them with any concerns.

Staff at all levels received regular meaningful appraisals, which provided them with development and career opportunities as well as their own wellbeing and safety was supported.

The service made `Reasonable Adjustments' under the current Equality legislation for those staff as required

Staff competence was monitored and maintained through annual appraisal and competency reviews. External training was available for staff.

Some members staff were trained as mental health first aiders and would see staff who could self-refer themselves.

Staff survey results did not always support our findings.

The service held regular staff forums and carried out staff surveys. The staff survey for October 2024 showed that 73% of staff would recommend the service as a good place to work, 75% of staff felt positive about themselves at work and 53% of staff stated they received a meaningful recognition when they did a good job.

The service promoted equality and diversity in daily work and provided opportunities for career development. The service had an open culture where patients, their families and staff could raise concerns without fear. The staff survey showed that 59% of staff said they could share their opinions openly without fear of retribution, with 25% being neutral and 16% stating they could not do so.

The service invited expert speakers and put on additional training sessions for staff. The service also put staff engagement events, meals and charity events. The service provided financial support for staff if they were struggling. The service provided support through the Ramsay academy for neurodivergent staff members to help them get formal qualifications. The service supported flexible working for staff who required it.