Services at the surgery department of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital were inspected in response to “concerns about the service” made to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and a report was published on June 6.
Assessing “safe environments”, the CQC rated the service as one out of a score of five.
“Multiple” environmental hazards in a ward were identified including cluttered corridors, a blocked fire exit and a water leak near electrical equipment.
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Incident reports showed “near misses”, including a “lack of timely replacement” of emergency equipment. In one instance, in September 2023, there was a 1.5-hour delay in replacing an oxygen tank on the resuscitation trolley.
Some medicines were found to be out of date. These included three bags of expired fluids on one surgical ward, some potassium fluids dated December 2024 and expired equipment used for difficult breathing situations – one expiring in April 2023 and another in August 2023.
Band six nurses reported “constantly working overtime” and managers were often “pulled from their managerial duties to cover staffing gaps”.
However, the department was commended for always treating people with “kindness, empathy and compassion” also “respecting their privacy and dignity”.
Patients have commented on the ‘life enhancing’ care they received at the surgery department (Image: NQ) Patients commented to inspectors that the experience was “life-enhancing” and staff had “enthusiasm” and offered “outstanding” care.
In a statement, chief executive Siobhan Harrington said: “I am very proud that the CQC reports highlight that colleagues across our surgical services are skilled, capable and passionate about providing the best possible care. Patients also told the CQC that they were treated with kindness and warmth, even when our services were busy.
“Immediate safety concerns identified by the CQC Inspectors have been resolved. An action plan is in place to enable learning and improve processes to evidence sustainability.
“Thank you to the CQC for working with us to help improve care with these reports.
“Thank you also to our patients who gave feedback and to our colleagues across surgical services for all that they do in delivering the care that meets people’s individual needs.”