West Cumberland Hospital staff receive a glowing report

Border
NHS
West Cumberland Hospital
Cumbria
Friday 5 February 2016 at 12:27pm

The West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven Credit: ITV Border

Directors of nursing carried out a 'fact-finding' tour of the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven yesterday.

Gail Naylor, Director of Nursing at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and Sarah Dodsworth, Director of Nursing, Royal College of Nursing -Northern Region, report that despite the challenges facing the trust, the front line remains committed to delivering excellence at the hospital.

They toured the paediatric department, medical ward, surgery, the emergency admission unit and the A&E department,

We’ve all heard about the financial and structural challenges facing the trust, but both Gail and I wanted to see and hear first hand from staff who were actually working on shifts about the details. And I have to say, I was truly inspired. For example, it was immediately clear to me that paediatrics at Whitehaven had a fully staffed complement, and staff were passionate, hard-working and committed to delivering excellence. This is a good news story that does not get told. Similarly, when I visited the medical ward, surgery ward, and emergency admissions unit, it was clear that staff felt very positive about the care that they are able to deliver. Yes, it’s hard work, yes, we need more staff but the sense of optimism at Whitehaven was refreshing to see. It was also clear that staff here have the confidence to speak up, and to tell their Director of Nursing when there is a particular problem.