assistant Gill Scholes, left, and Sister Sue Simpson
celebrating the star in Good Hope’s day case unit
Heading in the right direction � Good Hope gets a star
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| Pictured: Anne Heast, centre, with housekeeping assistant Gill Scholes, left, and Sister Sue Simpson celebrating the star in Good Hope’s day case unit |
The award, announced on Wednesday July 21st, is the first improvement in the Trust’s rating since it was zero-starred in December 2002.
It also comes 11 months after the Trust became the first in the country to be managed under a franchise agreement with a private company.
Graham Comfort, chairman of the Trust in Sutton Coldfield, said: “The award of a star reflects the hard work put in by all our staff. In five out of the nine key indicators, Good Hope has performed better than the national average for all Trusts.
“What is most crucial is that this shows we are improving our services for patients. That is what we are here to do.”
Anne Heast, the Trust’s Chief Executive said: “I am very proud of what the staff have achieved to be awarded this star. Everyone has worked their socks off - and shown great teamwork. Good Hope ‘s performance is heading in the right direction.
The ratings reveal some big improvements in performance over the last year. For example, in March:
• 94.3% of patients arriving in accident and emergency were either admitted for treatment or discharged within the four-hour target, compared with just 82.8% in September. By last month the figure had risen to nearly 97%
• 80.6% of patients could choose their appointment for outpatient clinics, compared with just 25% in September
• 99.7% could choose their date to come into hospital for their operation compared with 48.5% in September.
• Standards of cleanliness and the quality of food was also assesses as being good.
Performance indicators are published by the Healthcare Commission, the independent
watchdog of NHS performance. Star Ratings are based on a Trust’s performance
against a range of indicators during 2003/4. The ratings provide people working
in the NHS and the public with accessible information about the performance
of local health services.
The rating system indicated that the Trust “significantly under-achieved” its
target for financial management. It also “under-achieved” the
target of giving all patients referred by GPs with symptoms of cancer a consultation
within two weeks.
Anne Heast said: “In both cases, measures have been taken to rectify problems highlighted by the indicators.
“Our performance on seeing patients referred to us with symptoms of cancer now compares favourably with the best in the country, and we have measures planned to make sure it improves still further.”
Secta was awarded the contract to manage the Trust last August. It has agreed with the Trust Board a programme of initiatives - called interventions - to improve the hospital’s performance.
Anne Heast said: “The agreed objective is turn Good Hope NHS Trust into a Three Star Hospital within three years. This rating shows we are on track. But there are still big challenges ahead. This is just the beginning.”