The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has downgraded Salford Royal Hospital's urgent and emergency services to 'inadequate' for safety, following an inspection in August and September. The hospital, previously one of only two in England to receive two consecutive 'outstanding' ratings, has now been told it 'requires improvement' overall.
The CQC rated the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Trust, which runs Salford Royal and three other hospitals in Greater Manchester, as 'requires improvement' for being safe, effective, responsive and well-led. Inspectors found staff working 'incredibly hard under pressure' but noted that leaders did not 'operate effective governance' and some staff had reservations about raising concerns.
Other issues highlighted included staff shortages, training, governance, and care concerns. The inspection covered urgent and emergency care, medical care, and surgery at Salford Royal and Royal Oldham Hospital, as well as maternity services at Royal Oldham and Rochdale Infirmary.
Despite the criticisms, inspectors found some evidence of outstanding practice, including support for victims of domestic abuse at Royal Oldham and a staff-led garden initiative at Fairfield General Hospital. Head of hospital inspection Karen Knapton said new leaders had started making improvements but they 'weren't fully embedded'.
NCA chief executive Dr Owen Williams said the trust fully accepted the CQC's judgement and recommended areas for improvement. He acknowledged that improvements already being made 'do not go far enough at this moment in time' and thanked staff for working 'incredibly hard' under 'unprecedented demand'.
