CQC rated the Leadership at Mid &South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT), which runs our hospitals at Broomfield, Basildon & Southend, inadequate after an Inspection in May. We’ve asked the Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and Governors of MSEFT why they didn’t identify and address the inadequacies before CQC found them and if they are now considering their positions?
Commissioners MSE Integrated Care Board said: “The issues identified by CQC, including cultural and leadership weaknesses, are now subject to an urgent improvement plan overseen by the Trust and NHS England’s East of England regional team, with the ICB actively monitoring delivery and supporting system recovery. NEDs of the ICB and Trust Governors are engaged in this process, and the focus remains on strengthening leadership and governance.”
MSEFT’s new Chief Executive said: “We’re deeply sorry for having failed our patients and staff. ….. We’ve begun to make the changes needed with a detailed improvement plan supported by a new organisational structure which will simplify the way in which we operate to clarify roles and accountabilities. Our new operating model will strengthen clinical leadership across the Trust and equip our hospitals to deliver high quality care.” MSEFT’s Board meets in public at 1130 on 11 December at Southend Hospital. Anyone wishing to attend should contact mse.board.committeepapers@nhs.net for an invitation and more information.
In the report into the government’s handling of the Covid pandemic Chairwoman Baroness Hallett said the UK’s response could be summarised as “too little, too late”. Lockdown could have been avoided completely. Lockdown a week earlier could have saved thousands of lives. ‘Chaotic’ UK government criticised. Lockdowns left ‘lasting scars’. Politicians breaking rules undermined public confidence. Devolved governments relied too much on UK. The report’s long list of recommendations, includes:
- Improve communication between the four nations during an emergency.
- Improve consideration of the impact decisions might have on people – both by the illness and the steps taken to respond to it.
- Create expert groups to advise on economic and social implications, not just the science.
- Ensure decisions and their implications are clearly communicated to the public.
- Enable greater parliamentary scrutiny of emergency powers.
During the Resident Doctors’ 5-day strike the NHS maintained 95% of planned carewhilst maintaining critical services, including maternity services and urgent cancer care.
Data for 17-23 November shows:
- influenza increased and is at low levels after an unusually early start to the flu season.
- COVID-19 decreased and is at low levels.
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) increased and is circulating at low-medium levels.
- Norovirus varied recently remaining in expected levels; the highest rate is among children mostly aged 0-4 years.
The NHS urges those most vulnerable to get vaccinated against flu. This targets people with conditions including heart, kidney and lung disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, neurological conditions and immunosuppression.
The Morning After Pill is now available for free to women from almost 10,000 pharmacies across the country without needing to see their GP or get a sexual health clinic appointment.
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We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Healthy New Year.
SWF Health & Social Care Group 