Hospital staff 'anxious' over job losses as London North West NHS Trust told to improve by CQC

Staff in Ealing Hospital are suffering from a "high degree of anxiety" over potential job losses, a report calling for improvements has warned.

A Care Quality Commission (CQC) report released on Tuesday (June 21) rated the London North West Healthcare NHS Trust as "requires improvement".

The trust was established in October 2014 and merged North West London NHS Trust and Ealing Hospitals NHS together.

Staff are described as "dedicated and caring", but the merger is said to have created unrest over job security.

'High degree of anxiety'

The report reads: "All staff working at the hospital were dedicated, caring and supportive of each other within their ward and locality.

"There was a high degree of anxiety and uncertainty borne out of the merger and also fears of service removal and potential job losses particularly at Ealing Hospital".

The effects of Shaping a Healthier Future (SaHf) - which closed Ealing Hospital's maternity ward in 2015 and will close its children's ward next month - also added to "staff anxieties".

Several hospital and community services in Brent , Ealing and Harrow are run by the trust - including Northwick Park Hospital.

'Nose rings and hooped earrings'

Poor infection control practice was also highlighted, with staff wearing nose rings and hooped earrings that were not covered.

In Ealing Hospital's emergency department, an "insufficient" number of children's nurses were employed and there were aspects of "poor morale" among staff in the medical wards.

Labour MP Virendra Sharma, who had led a debate on changes to Ealing Hospital last month, said: "We have always argued that the current programmes run locally do not do enough to ensure the safety of patients and staff, both struggling under extreme staff shortages.

"I hope this will act to ensure that London North West Healthcare Trust follow the Mansfield Review recommendations , reopen the recently closed maternity and A&E units and halt next week’s paediatric unit closure".

Ealing Hospital, overall, performed higher than Northwick Park Hospital by receiving more "good" scores.

The trust was also commended for its inductions for junior doctors, end of life care and new emergency department at Northwick Park Hospital.

'We have developed an action plan'

Jacqueline Docherty DBE, chief executive of the trust, said: "Today's report from the CQC presents a fair reflection of the trust.

"It identifies where improvements are required and also recognises areas of good performance and outstanding practice. Importantly, the report confirms the care, commitment and compassion of our staff.

"We have already developed an action plan and will hold a Quality Summit in July with our external partners to jointly agree and deliver these improvements so that we can provide the very best health and social care for all of our patients".

At the end of the financial year 2014/15 the trust had a deficit of £55.9 million.

''Drop ongoing plans'

Secretary of Ealing Save Our NHS, Eve Turner, said: "This report covers two A&E hospitals – Ealing and Northwick Park and strongly highlights the need for improvements, not cuts.

"We now want the trust authorities to drop their ongoing plans to downgrade and effectively close Ealing A&E".

The trust received a 'Good' score for its caring rating.