Following what has been described as inaccurate reporting in the media, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Karen Baker, has written to all of the Trust’s staff.
It has been confirmed that the Island’s NHS Trust is yet to be put in special measures, despite reports by some Island news sources. It has however been said that an Improvement Director has been appointed, but this is being seen as a positive step as many Trusts only receive such support after being put into special measures, not before.
In her letter to staff, CEO Karen Baker has said:
“In her message to you on Friday, Trust Chair Eve Richardson wrote to you all about the appointment by NHS Improvement of Philippa Slinger as our ‘Improvement Director’. Philippa has many years working at senior levels in the NHS and started yesterday. She will be meeting many of you as she learns more about the organisation and decides how she and NHS Improvement can help us.
“However, her appointment as Improvement Director has been interpreted on the Isle of Wight County Press website as the Trust is already in ‘special measures’. Special measures is where NHS Improvement decides that a Trust needs additional support. That can be for a variety of reasons – performance, financial, quality, etc.. NHS Improvement has yet to formally receive the CQC’s report and then decide whether the Trust should be placed in ‘special measures’.
“We only received the draft CQC report for factual accuracy checking late on Friday. We cannot comment on a report which is not ours and has not yet been published. However, NHS Improvement have recognised the challenging times we are in and we are fortunate to have an Improvement Director appointed now, as many Trusts only receive that support after they are put in ‘special measures’. Philippa’s role is to focus on improvement whilst we carry on providing care and I’m very pleased to have her support.
“I went on IW Radio’s breakfast show this morning because I want the efforts that you are making to address the concerns raised by the CQC to be recognised. I and many others know that you are caring, compassionate and working really hard to give Islanders the best possible healthcare experience. We want that to shine through whatever criticism may be made of the Trust.
She went on to say:
“I am sorry that we haven’t been able at times to provide the care we would all want and as CEO I accept overall responsibility for that just as I know you are taking responsibility for the parts of the organisation and the care that we provide that you have responsibility for. If we all work together to address the CQC concerns then I believe, with the support that NHS Improvement are going to provide, that we can pull through this difficult time.
“We have to provide comments on the draft CQC report by Tuesday 28th March and we can expect their report to be published shortly after that. Subject experts in each area are being involved in checking the facts to make sure the CQC have got it right. Remember, they only know what we as an organisation and as a wider community – i.e. those that we serve – have told them and even if we will find the commentary difficult and challenging we do want it to be factually correct”.
The original letter to staff from Eve Richardson, Chair of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, which sparked concern said:
“As with many other health services, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust faces a number of very significant quality and financial challenges. NHS Improvement , the central support and oversight body of all health providers in the UK offers Trusts that face such challenges practical support to aid rapid improvement. That support has several forms and one of those is the assignment of an Improvement Director to work alongside the Board providing some additional capacity and expertise.
“To that end I am pleased to inform you that Philippa Slinger, an experienced NHS CEO is our Improvement Director. Philippa will be joining us on Monday 13 March and will work with the Board for several months and will support the Chief Executive and Executive team in delivering the organisation’s objectives. Philippa attended our recent Board meeting and over the next few weeks will be meeting with clinical leaders and senior managers as well as attending key meetings internally and externally.
“I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Philippa to the Island and we welcome the support from NHS Improvement to help us achieve what we all seek that is the best care for our patients and the range of people that we serve across the Island”.
