Their report, published on March 5, highlights positive comments from patients at the specialist heart and lung hospital in Hill End Road who said their care was ‘excellent’ and agreed they were ‘happy with the information they'd been given pre operatively’ and that care was ‘second to none’.
During the unannounced inspection on February 3, the hospital was found to meet all seven essential quality standards that were reviewed; Respecting and involving people who use service; Care and welfare of people who use service; Meeting nutritional needs; Cleanliness and infection control; Staffing; Supporting workers and Assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision.
Inspectors talked with patients, carers and staff in the outpatients department, operating theatres, the intensive care and high dependency units, the pre-assessment and day case units, and inpatient wards, including acute cardiac care and transplant wards.
They said patients spoke positively about the staff that supported them with their care and treatment and considered them knowledgeable and professional…
One person called the staff ‘fantastic’ and another said they would give the nurses and doctors 10 out of 10 for their care and professionalism.
Another told the inspectors how they had telephoned the hospital with a concern two weeks ago and was invited to a clinic the same day, and had been admitted from the clinic for further examination and tests. He described the hospital as 'world class'.
The inspectors also reported that they saw the core values reflected in staff behaviour the hospital; care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.
It was also noted that 90 per cent of patients would recommend Harefield Hospital to their friends or family if they needed similar treatment.
Inspectors also commented on the low incidence of complaints, the majority of which are resolved over the phone.
Caroline Shuldham, director of nursing and clinical governance at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is gratifying to read this report from the CQC and realise that the ongoing hard work, commitment and care from our staff is recognised and appreciated by patients and acknowledged accordingly by the inspectors. We are very proud of the results of this inspection.”
Earlier this month the hospital published results of a study which showed smokers' lungs are safe to use for transplantation.
Read the full report on the CQC website .
