Improvements made at York hospital following inspection
But the CQC found too many people facing long waits for beds
York Hospital has made progress in urgent and emergency care, according to a new inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The hospital, part of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, was inspected in January and has seen its overall rating improve from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’.
The CQC praised improvements in leadership, learning culture, and responsiveness in urgent and emergency care, which is now also rated ‘requires improvement’ rather than ‘inadequate’. Ratings for being ‘well-led’, ‘effective’, and ‘caring’ in the department have also improved to ‘good’. Medical care services, including older people’s care, have also improved, particularly in how patients are treated, with the ‘caring’ rating now rated ‘good’.
However, inspectors found ongoing issues across both services, including patient safety concerns, staffing shortages in paediatrics, and long waiting times for hospital beds—sometimes exceeding 12 hours. During the visit, inspectors observed patients sitting on the floor due to a lack of seating in the emergency department.
The CQC also raised concerns about unsafe storage of chemicals, incomplete patient records, and poor communication in medical care. While breaches related to person-centred care and safeguarding have been resolved, other regulatory breaches remain.
The Trust has been told to submit an action plan and will be closely monitored to ensure continued improvements.
What do the Trust say?
Simon Morritt, Chief Executive, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We welcome the CQC’s report and the recognition that improvements have been made in both urgent and emergency care and medical care at York Hospital.
“I want to thank our staff for everything they do and reassure our communities that we remain fully committed to delivering safe, high-quality care, now and into the future.
“These positive changes have been achieved during a time of exceptional pressure on our services, and that is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our staff. We’re particularly pleased the CQC noted that most patients and their families felt treated with compassion and kindness, a reflection of the values we work hard to uphold every day.
“Where urgent issues were identified, they were acted on immediately, and we’ve continued to make positive progress since the inspection. Patients should feel confident in the care they receive and our commitment to doing better.
“We know there is more to do. Our focus now is on embedding the improvements we’ve made, strengthening leadership at every level, and creating a culture where both patients and colleagues feel safe, supported, and valued.”