Archived: The London Chest Hospital

Updated 14 January 2014

The London Chest Hospital is an acute hospital run by Barts Health NHS Trust, the largest NHS trust in England. It consists of an intensive care unit, a coronary care unit, a high dependency unit, an angiogram day care unit, a cardiac catheter unit, three wards and an outpatients department. It provides treatment and care for patients with heart or lung problems. It has a specialist centre for cardiac emergency care for people who have had a heart attack. It also offers services for patients with allergies and cystic fibrosis.

CQC has inspected the London Chest Hospital twice since it was registered – once in March 2012, when it was found not to be meeting standards relating to the safety and suitability of premises and staffing levels. A follow-up inspection in November 2012 found that improvements had been made and all standards inspected were met.

Before visiting we looked at information about the trust and this hospital. We carried out an announced visit on 7 November 2013 and an unannounced visit on 14 November 2013. We looked at the personal care or treatment records of people who used the service, observed how people were being cared for and talked with people who used the service. We talked with carers, family members, staff and reviewed information that we asked the provider to send to us. We placed comments boxes around the hospital and received a number of completed forms from patients.

The inspection team included CQC inspectors and a variety of specialists: a person representing the public, a director of operations, student nurse and consultant radiologist.

Although the buildings were old and not well suited to modern day care, we found all areas to be clean. People were treated with dignity and respect and were involved in their treatment and care. There was good access to interpreters, particular for the most commonly spoken languages. The majority of patients were very complimentary about their care and the attitude of staff.

Care and treatment were based on nationally recognised clinical guidelines and best practice to ensure that people’s needs were met and good outcomes were achieved.

Staff had received mandatory training and appraisals and had access to continuing professional development and support. Staff expressed pride in working at The London Chest Hospital and, although welcomed the move to a modern facility next year, were keen not to lose the friendly and collaborative culture.

Updated 14 January 2014

The London Chest Hospital is an acute hospital run by Barts Health NHS Trust, the largest NHS trust in England. It consists of an intensive care unit, a coronary care unit, a high dependency unit, an angiogram day care unit, a cardiac catheter unit, three wards and an outpatients department. It provides treatment and care for patients with heart or lung problems. It has a specialist centre for cardiac emergency care for people who have had a heart attack. It also offers services for patients with allergies and cystic fibrosis.

CQC has inspected the London Chest Hospital twice since it was registered – once in March 2012, when it was found not to be meeting standards relating to the safety and suitability of premises and staffing levels. A follow-up inspection in November 2012 found that improvements had been made and all standards inspected were met.

Before visiting we looked at information about the trust and this hospital. We carried out an announced visit on 7 November 2013 and an unannounced visit on 14 November 2013. We looked at the personal care or treatment records of people who used the service, observed how people were being cared for and talked with people who used the service. We talked with carers, family members, staff and reviewed information that we asked the provider to send to us. We placed comments boxes around the hospital and received a number of completed forms from patients.

The inspection team included CQC inspectors and a variety of specialists: a person representing the public, a director of operations, student nurse and consultant radiologist.

Although the buildings were old and not well suited to modern day care, we found all areas to be clean. People were treated with dignity and respect and were involved in their treatment and care. There was good access to interpreters, particular for the most commonly spoken languages. The majority of patients were very complimentary about their care and the attitude of staff.

Care and treatment were based on nationally recognised clinical guidelines and best practice to ensure that people’s needs were met and good outcomes were achieved.

Staff had received mandatory training and appraisals and had access to continuing professional development and support. Staff expressed pride in working at The London Chest Hospital and, although welcomed the move to a modern facility next year, were keen not to lose the friendly and collaborative culture.

Updated 14 January 2014

Overall care was safe and effective. Most patients were very complimentary about their care and found the staff caring and compassionate. However, there were some concerns about the ability of staff to respond to patients’ requests at night in one area.

Patients’ privacy and dignity was maintained. There were occasions when patients’ pre-booked treatments were cancelled as staff aimed to manage the competing demands of elective and emergency care.

There was effective leadership and governance at all levels of staff in the hospital and through the clinical academic groups.

Updated 14 January 2014

The outpatients department provided safe and effective care. Staff were caring and the department was well-led. However, some people had considerable waits for their appointments.