The Care Quality Commission has rated the services provided by East Cheshire NHS Trust as Good following an inspection in June and July.
At this latest inspection, the trust was rated Requires Improvement for safe and Good, for caring, effective, responsive and well-led. Since their last inspection, January 2018, the trust rating has remained the same.
Of the services CQC looked at inspectors could see that the trust had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Most staff had training in key skills and understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. The trust controlled infection risk well and staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. They mostly managed medicines well.
At Macclesfield General Hospital, CQC looked at urgent and emergency services, critical care and end of life care. Within Urgent and emergency services the rating remained the same at Good; critical care also remained the same at Good and end of life care improved to Good.
However, within urgent and emergency care and outpatient services, patients could not always access services when needed and receive treatment within agreed timeframes and national expectations.
Inspectors did note that services were planned and provided care in a way that met the needs of local people and the communities served. The trust also worked with others in the wider system and local organisations to deliver care.
East Cheshire NHS Trust was well-led. Leaders ran services well, supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the trust’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. Additionally, staff felt respected, supported and valued. The leadership team were actively engaged in wider partnership working to develop proposals for future sustainable services for the benefit of the local population.
The report represents good progress since their January 2018 inspection, CQC will continue to monitor to ensure the quality of care is being maintained.
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For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Manager David Fryer by email david.fryer@cqc.org.uk by phone on 07754 438750 or Mark Humphreys,mark.humphreys@cqc.org.uk and 0191 201 1675
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