Private Shrewsbury hospital 'below par over safety'

Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital was given an overall rating of good by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission.

But they found that infection rates for some surgical procedures including knee operations and in breast surgery were higher than the national average.

They also observed a consultant wearing a suit jacket to administer eye drops to a patient which did not comply with infection control standards.

Read the full CQC report on the Nuffield Health Shrewsbury Hospital here

However, despite being rated as needing improvement for safe services, the hospital, which opened in 1965 and is one of 31 in the Nuffield Health Group, was given an overall rating of good in all other areas.

The announced inspection was carried out in September with a follow-up unannounced visit in early October.

Inspectors found that the hospital had systems in place to provide care and treatment in line with national guidance. There was an enhanced recovery programme which promoted health and wellbeing and all staff had appraisals. But there was a lack of compliance with policies such as antimicrobial policy, fasting arrangements and ensuring that patients had sufficient time and information to give informed consent about their operation.

Staff were also found to have varying levels of understanding regarding the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

The hospital was found to be caring and in their report inspectors said: "Staff work especially hard to make the patient experience as pleasant as possible. Patients all told us they were treated with care and compassion."

The hospital provided a responsive and flexible service that met the needs of the patients and met all its targets on accessing services. There were no waiting lists for diagnostic imaging services. Inspectors also found that the service was well-led as there was a clear statement of vision and values.

Between April 2015 and March 2016, 10 hospital acquired wound infections were reported. The hospital investigated the cause of these infections and action plans were implemented.

Inspectors said: "We saw that ward equipment was visibly clean, labelled, had been cleaned and was ready for use. We saw there were cleaning schedules in place and we saw information that detailed staff had all received additional training in effective cleaning."

It was found that medicines were stored, administered and managed safely and allergy information recorded.

that information about patients' allergies were recorded.