In February, a team of 51 inspectors visited Oxfordshire’ four main hospitals for two days, followed by spot check a few weeks later.

Unhappily for the hospital the visit came on one of their busiest days — in fact, according to trust chief executive Sir Jonathan Michael, the year’s most busy day — with staff facing the full blast of winter pressures.


Well, good. For the whole point of these very costly exercises undertaken by the Care Quality Commission — introduced in the aftermath of the avoidable deaths at Mid-Staffordshire — is to provide a realistic and comprehensive snapshot of what is going on in our hospitals.


The fact the CQC report rates the Oxford University Hospitals Trust (OUHT) as “good” is pleasing news for staff and patients alike. But the biggest inspection of our hospitals certainly finds reason for concern about the quality of care offered at the county’s main hospital the John Radcliffe. Staff shortages, lack of beds and long waiting lists are issues that are not going to be easily addressed, not least in the face of ever-increasing demands on the JR with savings from efficiency measures now an ongoing part of life at the JR. Sir Jonathan reckons to know where the pressure points are in the system, but addressing them remains a challenge.


Some of the report’s findings seem to be stating the obvious — yes, it is a good idea to have sufficient qualified staff to treat patients safely for example. Finding the necessary funding — and nursing staff willing to move into an area where the cost of living now rivals London — is an altogether harder prospect. The report does, however, point to many issues — such as planning care need for the vulnerable, providing sufficient induction for nurses in A&E, supporting midwives and keeping patient records accurately — where things can be put right more speedily.
Perhaps the most depressing observation is that it seems some surgical clinicians “felt disempowered and believed they had no voice”. After so many reorganisations, senior manager appointments, staff appraisals, and Government speeches on medics being at the heart of everything, there can surely be no excuse for this — and that cannot be put down to money or the time of year.