30 January 2014
During a routine inspection
We were accompanied on our inspection by a specialist advisor in theatres. They spent time in the two theatres with the theatre manager and observed surgery. They also accompanied a theatre nurse to the ward, followed a patient through their routine checks and observed their journey into the operating theatre. During the afternoon, the specialist advisor spoke with the theatre manager and two theatre staff.
During our inspection we also spent time on the day care unit, the ward and in the outpatients department. We also visited the medical records department and pharmacy dispensary.
We spoke with the hospital's matron, medical director, chair of the hospital's Medical Advisory Committee, clinical effectiveness lead and executive administration manager. We also spoke with fourteen staff in various roles in the areas we visited. These included three nursing sisters, three ward staff, the hospital pharmacist, the pharmacy manager, a healthcare assistant and a medical records clerk.
We spoke with six people who used the service and three peoples' relatives. They all told us they were happy with the care they had received. They also told us they had received information about their procedures prior to their admission to the hospital.
One person told us 'My consultant is very good. I have seen them every day that I've been here. I have no complaints.' Another person said, 'The nursing staff are great. I have been to the hospital before so I knew what to expect. That means a lot, I couldn't ask for better care.'
All of the people we spoke with told us their visitors had been able to visit at any time and were always made to feel welcome by the staff on the ward.
Staff all told us they received all the training and support they needed to carry out their job roles effectively. They told us the hospital was a good place to work and the care provided was excellent.
We found appropriate arrangements were in place for handling medicines and records, including medical records, were accurate and fit for purpose.