Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (LHCH) is delighted to announce that it has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the second time.

In September 2016, LHCH became the first specialist trust in the country to be awarded the ‘Outstanding’ rating and has once again been given the highest accolade by the independent health and social care regulator

The CQC published its rating on Wednesday 3^rd July 2019, with LHCH now becoming one of only five NHS providers to achieve the prestigious ‘Outstanding’ rating twice.

A team of CQC Inspectors visited the Trust in January and February 2019 to examine its services and clinical pathways in surgery, and to inspect whether the Trust was ‘well-led’.

The Inspection Team spoke to patients, relatives and staff to develop a detailed understanding of the culture, governance, leadership and the quality of care delivered and then made its decision based on five key measures – safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Council of Governors, Neil Large, LHCH Chairman, and Jane Tomkinson, Chief Executive, paid tribute to the Trust’s 1,600 staff and volunteers: “We’re very proud to have been awarded this top rating for a second successive time.

“The CQC inspection process is rigorous and rightly challenging, and this rating pays testament to the dedication, skill and professionalism of staff in every ward and department at LHCH.

“It’s also reassuring for patients and their families that they can expect to receive outstanding levels of care.”

The CQC summarised its findings by highlighting that:

• staff cared for patients with compassion
• there was a genuinely open culture in which all safety concerns raised by staff, patients and carers were valued as being integral to learning and improvement
• patients were respected and were empowered as partners in their care, practically and emotionally, by an exceptional and distinctive service
• patients thought that staff went the extra mile and their care and support exceeded their expectations
• services were tailored to meet the needs of individuals
• there was a proactive approach to understanding the needs and preferences of different groups of people and to delivering care in a way that meets these needs, which was accessible and promoted equality
• the technology was used innovatively to ensure people have timely access to treatment, support and care
• the leadership, governance and culture were used to drive and improve the delivery of high-quality person-centred care
• staff were proud of the organisation as a place to work and spoke highly of the culture
• leaders had an inspiring shared purpose and strived to deliver and motivate staff to succeed
• the Trust’s strategy, vision and values underpinned a culture which was patient-centred
• there was a strong collaboration, team working and support across all functions and a common focus on improving the quality and sustainability of care and people’s experiences.

Read the full CQC report www.lhch.nhs.uk or: http://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RBQ