We are committed to delivering high quality, safe care to everyone who accesses Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.
To support us in achieving this, we monitor our services to ensure we meet national standards, performance targets and guidelines. These are set by the independent health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
To meet the CQC’s standards and achieve our aims and objectives of being an outstanding Trust delivering high quality, safe care, we have robust procedures and policies in place to continuously manage and evaluate our performance as an NHS Foundation Trust. These procedures and policies govern the standards of care we provide, the standard of leadership across the trust and our business and financial management and ensure we closely monitor everything we do year in and year out.
A good trust with outstanding care
In our most recent inspection in August 2019, our trust was rated ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ care.
Safety first
We received a ‘Good’ rating because we demonstrated that we had systems and processes embedded to keep people safe within acute and community services. The trust had a strong track record of safety which was supported timely and accurate performance information.
Appropriate care
Our trust also demonstrated to the CQC that our patients received effective evidence-based care and treatment which met their needs. The trust ensured there was consistency of practice through the review of evidence-based guidance, best practice standards, legislation and technologies.
Putting our patients first
During their inspection of us, the CQC found that as a trust, we met and prioritised the needs of people, in the way in which our services are configured and delivered. The CQC report also states patients and their families were given informed choice and continuity of care.
High quality, effective leadership
The trust also demonstrated high quality, effective leadership to the CQC. There was a positive culture within the organisation which drove improvement and governance to support the delivery of high quality person centred care.
Leaders from all levels within the organisation were visible and approachable. Service leaders actively promoted and empowered staff to drive improvement.
This report recognises the hard work and sterling efforts of all our staff and reflects our status as a well-led organisation which seeks to uphold the high standards it has become well known for. We continue to strive to maintain our status as one of the UK’s top hospital trusts.