On 29 April 2016, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its latest inspection report for Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. The report, which is available here, highlights specific concerns about the Trust's governance arrangements, how it has learned from past incidents and the physical environment of some services inspected.
This latest report follows the CQC's inspection into Southern Health last year, which resulted in the December 2015 Mazars Report. The Mazars Report determined that Southern Health had failed to properly investigate the deaths of patients who were mentally ill or had learning difficulties.
On 6 April 2016 the CQC issued Southern Health with a warning notice highlighting the need for further improvements to governance arrangements. On 14 April healthcare regulator NHS Improvement placed a condition on the Trust's lease, asking it to make urgent patient safety improvements to address the issues found by the CQC. On 29 April, the Chairman of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust stood down.
The CQC is currently considering Southern Health's response to its warning notice, which required significant improvements to be made by 27 April. Southern Health's delivery plan has been received by the CQC and is in the process of being evaluated. NHS Improvement is working closely with the CQC and the trust to give independent oversight.
As the situation has unfolded, I have been attending meetings and receiving updates both from Southern Health and the Care Quality Commission alongside my colleagues from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. I know that a number of local residents rely on the services provided by Southern Health and I am keen to hold them to account for their failures and make sure that past mistakes cannot be repeated.
I welcomed that this matter was raised in the House last week and that the Minister for Community and Social Care, Alistair Burt MP is treating the situation with the utmost seriousness. You can read his full response to an Urgent Question raised in the Commons here.
The findings of the Care Quality Commission are deeply worrying, and necessitate serious action at a local and national level. The most vulnerable people in our society must receive care in a safe and secure setting, and failures of leadership and governance at Southern Health to ensure patient safety are grossly unacceptable.
If you or your family members have been affected by the findings of the CQC, you are a Gosport constituent and would like assistance, please get in touch.