Yeovil District Hospital

Ratings

• Overall

  Not rated

• Safe

  Inadequate

• Effective

  Requires improvement

• Caring

  Not rated

• Responsive

  Not rated

• Well-led

  Inadequate

Our view of the service

Date of assessment: 13 January to 11 February 2025. 

Yeovil District Hospital provides a range of NHS hospital services. Services at Yeovil District Hospital were not previously inspected under Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. Therefore, the rating from the Children and Young People Service has not been combined with ratings of the other services from the previous inspections. See our previous reports to get a full picture of all other services at Yeovil District Hospital. The overall rating of Yeovil District Hospital is insufficient evidence to rate. This assessment looked at the Children and Young People Service due to new and emerging risk. We rated this service as Inadequate.

In our assessment of the Children and Young People service we found a lack of a strong learning culture and there was an insufficient number of medical staff. Consultant paediatricians did not consistently lead the required number of medical handovers, and not all acutely admitted children were seen by a consultant within the expected timeframe. Mandatory training compliance for paediatric life support and safeguarding was below target. The service did not always inform children about their consent rights or consistently respect these rights during care. Records indicated a lack of understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act. Some staff told us they felt some rules had been imposed on them. Governance systems were not effectively addressing risks and performance issues in a timely manner. 

However, the service maintained clear and up-to-date records of children's care, stored securely and readily accessible to staff. There was 24-hour access to mental health services, and sufficient suitable equipment was available with regular safety checks. Infection risks were assessed and managed, and medicines and treatments were generally safe and met individual needs. The service routinely monitored care and participated in audits to drive improvement, effectively assessing and planning care with children and young people. There was good teamwork across different services. The service aimed to integrate with local mental health services to provide holistic care and had a clear direction with long-term strategic goals. Some staff reported feeling supported and valued.  

The service remained in breach of previous legal regulations concerning mandatory training and safeguarding, as well as new breaches related to staffing, consent, premises and good governance.