The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated leadership at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust as good, following an inspection in March.
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of acute and community-based services across Calderdale, Huddersfield and surrounding areas.
The well-led review of the trust included an on-site visit, as well as observations of the trust’s board and quality committee meetings. The trust was rated good in all eight quality statement areas.
CQC currently gives NHS trusts a single trust-level rating focusing on leadership and culture that replaces all other ratings at that level. CQC consulted on this approach and will use the feedback gathered to consider whether this well-led key question at NHS trust level is appropriate for the new innovative, complex and integrated models of care being created.
Chris Storton, CQC deputy director of operations in the north-east said:
“During our well-led inspection of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, we found the trust’s board and leadership team had an appropriate mix of skills and experience who worked with honesty, integrity and openness. Leaders were inclusive, compassionate and focused on learning and continuous improvement.
“Staff and trust partners spoke highly of leaders and the recent staff survey results showed the trust was the most improved acute trust in the country, with a notable increase in colleagues who strongly agree with recommending their organisation as a good place to work.
“Similarly, local surveys showed consistently high levels of satisfaction with how the trust’s services are led for both inpatient and community services, particularly in cancer care and radiology services.
“The trust serves a diverse population, and we saw a strong focus on identifying and addressing any health inequalities. Leaders ensured all staff, regardless of role understood how health inequalities were relevant to their role and took action to address them.
“It was also positive that leaders were taking action to ensure people were seen as quickly as possible across all specialties, and we saw considerable progress in reducing overall waiting times was already underway.
“Leaders and staff should be pleased with the positive findings in our reports, and we look forward to seeing their continued progress. We will continue to monitor them, including through future inspections, to ensure the progress is embedded and sustained.”
Chief Executive of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, Rob Aitchison, said: “We are delighted that the Care Quality Commission has rated our trust as ‘good’ following our recent well-led inspection.
“This reflects the pride, commitment and professionalism of our colleagues. Being ‘well-led’ is not just about senior leadership – it is about how people across every role support each other, listen to patients and continuously improve.
“We are particularly pleased that the CQC recognised our culture of openness, where colleagues feel able to raise concerns.
“While this is an important milestone, we remain focused on building on this progress, reducing inequalities and continuing to improve care for our patients and communities.”
Inspectors found during their well-led inspection of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust:
- Leaders had robust and realistic strategies for achieving priorities and addressing challenges.
- Staff and leaders were proud to work at the trust, and all staff could describe the trust’s vision and values.
- Leaders ensured robust processes were in place to ensure staff remained fit and proper persons for their roles, including clear oversight and monitoring for professional registrations of staff.
- Leaders worked closely with partners to ensure they were at the forefront of any changes or innovations that could improve people’s care experience.
- System partners praised leaders’ development of a work culture where staff felt free to raise concerns.
- Leadership relationships were positive and had a good amount of professional challenge.
- Leaders were drafting a strategy to support colleagues to understand the lived experience of people with learning disabilities.
- The trust had mechanisms to identify and address behaviours that were inconsistent with the values of the NHS.
The report will be published on CQC’s website in the next few days.