East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Updated 8 January 2020

Not used

Updated 8 January 2020

Our rating of the trust stayed the same. We rated it as requires improvement because:

• We rated the overall key questions of safe and responsive as requires improvement and effective, caring and well-led were rated as good. Our rating for the trust took into account the current ratings of the core services we did not inspect this time.
• We rated four of the 14 core services we inspected as requires improvement and nine as good. We rated children and young people’s services as outstanding overall.
• Our decision on the overall ratings take into account the relative size of the service and we use our professional judgement to reach fair and balanced ratings.
• We rated well-led of the trust overall as Good.

Updated 8 January 2020

Our rating of this service stayed the same. We rated it as good because:

• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
• Staff provided good care and treatment, gave patients enough to eat and drink, and gave them pain relief when they needed it. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information.
• Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of most patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment.
• Leaders ran services well and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services.

However:

• Managers did not always make sure all staff completed required mandatory training. Not all staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse.
• The ward environment in all three community hospitals did not support patients living with dementia and other complex needs