Gorleston: Hospital Given Another Warning

25 November 2011, 06:13 | Updated: 25 November 2011, 11:05

The James Paget in Gorleston in Norfolk has made improvements on nutrition since its last inspection, but now there is a concern over its paperwork.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has lifted a warning notice about nutritional standards at the James Paget University Hospital but the regulator has a major concern about paperwork.

Following its third inspection, carried out on 14 October, the CQC has lifted the warning notice on nutrition but introduced a new warning notice regarding documentation.

The hospital was found to be compliant on the documentation and monitoring standard on the preceding CQC inspection in September 2011 but has today been told a warning notice has been introduced.

Results of the October CQC inspection at JPUH

· Meeting nutritional needs - Minor

· Care and welfare - Moderate

· Records - Moderate  

· Assessing and monitoring – Major

Wendy Slaney, Chief Executive said: "We are pleased the work we have done around nutrition has been recognised by the inspectors and that we have improved. It has been a team effort in getting us to this position and I am grateful to all our staff for their support through what has been a difficult period.

We fully recognise the importance of accurate documentation and robust monitoring systems and where there are failings we are committed to learning lessons and addressing areas for improvement. All of us at the James Paget are determined that we will work together to continue to improve the care we provide our patients."

The hospital says the focus for improvement is on documentation in care records, keeping up progress on ensuring elderly patients get help with feeding, and making sure the systems in place to monitor care are effective.

Patrick Thompson, Chairman of patients' group the Norfolk Local Involvement Network, said: "We are pleased to see that various points that were an issue with patient nutrition have been addressed or a robust action plan is in place to which we will be monitoring closely to ensure that standards do not slip but we still have to look closely at the points raised with documentation to be confident that patient care is of the highest quality across the trust.

I am sure that positive outcomes will be evident to have a continued service that all patients can be confident in and that the Interim Chairman, Board, Governors and ourselves will work towards ensuring that the hospital delivers what is expected.

We will be carrying out our own independent inspections to which the Trust and others will have our findings fed back at the end of our audit. I feel positive that all concerned will work well to providing the service that we have come to expect from the James Paget University Hospital."

Brandon Lewis, MP for Great Yarmouth, said: "The CQC has raised a major concern, which management and the governors must deal with urgently. However, the priority for all of us must be the quality of the care offered to the patients. I have every faith in the determination of the Interim Chairman, Governors and staff that the JPUH will be able to move forward and resolve the problems identified in the report and we all want to support them in that work."

Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, said: "It is encouraging that the hard work of management and staff around nutrition has led to a significant improvement in the care provided to elderly patients. The CQC has raised other concerns and I have every faith in the determination of all at the JPUH to move forward to resolve the problems that have been identified."

Hear From Interim Chairman Peter Franzen

Hear From Chief Executive Wendy Slaney