Morecambe Bay health trust ‘out of special measures’

Inspectors have recommended that Morecambe Bay’s health trust should be moved out of special measures.
Lancaster Guardian - Letters - RLILancaster Guardian - Letters - RLI
Lancaster Guardian - Letters - RLI

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), said today that the hard work by staff at the trust had led to significant improvements.

The government’s Care Quality minister Ben Gummer visited the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI) on Thursday, November 3, and spent time in the stroke unit and maternity unit before meeting with senior managers.

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University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust (UHMBT) was placed in special measures following a CQC inspection in February 2014.

Mr Gummer said: “It’s an exciting day for the trust because the CQC has recommended that Morecambe Bay comes out of special measures.

“We’ll know by the end of the week whether this is official when Monitor makes a formal decision.

“This shows that the trust has turned a corner, despite it being a big corner to turn.

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“I wanted to come and congratulate everyone and highlight the enormous amount of work the staff have done to achieve this.

“There’s an enthusiasm within the trust that is infectious, and everyone says the place feels a lot better, and there seems to be a common purpose around what needs to be done to improve further.”

Mr Gummer said the CQC have confirmed that the trust now “requires improvement”.

There will be continued work between the trust, Monitor and CQC to improve things further.

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He added: “In the Spending Review last week, the government committed the £10bn funds which the NHS asked for.

“We’ve delivered on that, so next year we’ll be delivering more than £6bn for the service.

“Across the area served by the trust, people will start to feel the benefits this will bring.”

David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale said: “This is fantastic news for all at the Trust, and shows that the hard work and determination by the staff has paid off.

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“I am pleased that I have been able to work with the management of the Trust in such a positive way over the past few years and have always found them to be committed to turning the hospital around.”