Following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission, England’s Chief Inspector of Hospitals has rated the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust as Good with Outstanding End of Life Care.

The rating highlights that both the Royal Liverpool Hospital and Broadgreen University Hospitals are providing services that are safe, caring, effective and well-led.

Inspectors reported that “there was a positive culture throughout the trust. Staff were proud of the work they did and proud of the services they provided.”

The CQC recognised that care and treatment was delivered “by caring, committed, and compassionate staff.” They highlighted that “Staff in all disciplines treated patients and those close to them with dignity and respect.”

Particular areas of outstanding practice identified by the CQC include:

End of Life Care: “outstanding” end of life care 

The CQC highlighted the “comprehensive” end of life vision and strategy for 2013- 2018. It was noted that the vision was to deliver the highest quality healthcare driven by world class research for the health and wellbeing of the population. Inspectors highlighted a well-established and well-staffed palliative care directorate which works closely with other organisations to improve the quality of end of life services in Merseyside. The new Academic Palliative Care Unit (APCU), which provides a 12-bedded unit for patients who are at the end of life, was also praised.

Emergency Department

Inspectors highlighted collaborative work with local support groups and charities to provide services for sections of the population such as homeless and victims of domestic abuse. The CQC also noted work and out-reach programme with local schools on the dangers of knife crime.

Critical Care

Critical care guidance that, once approved, would be adopted across both the local and national critical care networks (application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated deprivation of liberty safeguards in the critical care setting).

Information Technology 

They also found innovative and collaborative working highlighted in the use of enhanced IT systems which are used to monitor and track the most unwell and vulnerable patients.

In palliative and end of life care services, the report highlighted numerous stories that demonstrated the compassion, kindness and thoughtfulness of the staff delivering care and treatment.

Whilst the report highlighted many positives, it also highlighted some areas for improvement.

Bed occupancy rates trust-wide, delayed transfers of care and discharges continue to have an impact on the management of patient care throughout the hospital.

Aidan Kehoe, chief executive of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals, said: 

“The overwhelmingly positive rating is fantastic news for the city; I am pleased that the CQC witnessed the high standard of care that I see from our staff on a daily basis. I would like to thank staff for their commitment and dedication to ensuring the high standards of care for patients in Liverpool.

“The rating is a fitting testament to the vision, hard work, professionalism and compassion of all our staff and volunteers working across the hospital and reflects the long-term commitment to delivering high quality health care.

“We received outstanding feedback from a number of our services including; the collaborative working in the emergency department; quality of care from our end of life services and best practice and innovative ways of working within critical care.”