North Cumbria NHS Trust to move out of special measures

A Cumbrian NHS trust is ready to come out of special measures after nearly four years, according to inspectors.

The North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust runs the Cumberland Infirmary and the West Cumberland Hospital.

The Care Quality Commission says enough progress has been made to move it out of special measures, but that improvements are still needed, including in departments like maternity and care for children.

The health board has been in special measures since July 2013 - longer than any other trust.

In the CQC's inspection of the North Cumbria Trust, which took place last December, improvements were found to have been made to the environment for patients, and the cleanliness of the hospitals, as well as the Trust's senior management and approach.

However, despite leaving special measures, the Trust still has an overall rating of Requires Improvement.

There are ongoing concerns around recruitment of staff (including a reliance on locum cover and unfilled shifts), patient flow from A&E to other departments (including the four-hour target not being met), and cancelled elective surgeries (including at short notice).

The Trust's safety, when it comes to maternity care and services for children and young people, was also graded 'Requires Improvement' at both the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital.

The Chief Inspector of Hospitals praised the Trust, but said a lot of work still needs to be done.