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NHS slipping on child protection NHS slipping on child protection
(about 7 hours later)
The number of NHS trusts saying they are complying with child protection guidelines has fallen, a report shows.The number of NHS trusts saying they are complying with child protection guidelines has fallen, a report shows.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found a 3.1% decline in those reporting compliance, but the vast majority were meeting these and many other standards.The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found a 3.1% decline in those reporting compliance, but the vast majority were meeting these and many other standards.
Last month the CQC heavily criticised the failings of three trusts which had been involved with Baby Peter, the toddler who died of serious abuse.Last month the CQC heavily criticised the failings of three trusts which had been involved with Baby Peter, the toddler who died of serious abuse.
Overall however, more trusts say they meet all of a wide-range of standards.Overall however, more trusts say they meet all of a wide-range of standards.
Half say they are meeting all measures - which govern issues ranging from hygiene to patient confidentiality - compared with only one in three in 2005-2006.Half say they are meeting all measures - which govern issues ranging from hygiene to patient confidentiality - compared with only one in three in 2005-2006.
This is the last year for trusts to improve their record on compliance with these standards before a new registration system begins in April 2010.This is the last year for trusts to improve their record on compliance with these standards before a new registration system begins in April 2010.
The child protection guidance includes making sure staff are trained in recognising children who may be at risk, for example.The child protection guidance includes making sure staff are trained in recognising children who may be at risk, for example.
Those who fail to meet these standards could lose their licence.Those who fail to meet these standards could lose their licence.
In practice, what this would most likely mean is that they would continue to operate under strict conditions which may include preventing a trust from running a service, or closing a service for a period of time.In practice, what this would most likely mean is that they would continue to operate under strict conditions which may include preventing a trust from running a service, or closing a service for a period of time.
Getting betterGetting better
More of the 392 trusts are declaring compliance with standards on infection control - particularly on decontamination of equipment.More of the 392 trusts are declaring compliance with standards on infection control - particularly on decontamination of equipment.
TRUSTS NOT COMPLYING WITH HYGEINE STANDARDS Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamshire Healthcare NHS TrustPlymouth Hospitals NHS TrustRoyal Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation TrustGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS TrustSouth West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust and Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust North Bristol NHS Trust United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS TrustYorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust TRUSTS NOT COMPLYING WITH HYGIENE STANDARDS Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamshire Healthcare NHS TrustPlymouth Hospitals NHS TrustRoyal Bolton Hospital NHS Foundation TrustGreat Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS TrustSouth West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust and Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust North Bristol NHS Trust United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS TrustYorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
However 20% are not meeting at least one of the three measures and 10 declared non-compliance with all three.However 20% are not meeting at least one of the three measures and 10 declared non-compliance with all three.
There were also significant regional variations: while 70% of trusts in the North West region reported full compliance with all the standards, only 18% of those in the South East Coast region did the same.There were also significant regional variations: while 70% of trusts in the North West region reported full compliance with all the standards, only 18% of those in the South East Coast region did the same.
This showed no marked improvement since 2005-2006.This showed no marked improvement since 2005-2006.
Cynthia Bower, head of the CQC, stressed it was often "good news" when a trust owned up to a problem as it suggested moves were afoot to rectify it.Cynthia Bower, head of the CQC, stressed it was often "good news" when a trust owned up to a problem as it suggested moves were afoot to rectify it.
"These declarations are an important piece of the jigsaw when it comes to building a picture of NHS performance. They tell us what trusts themselves think of their compliance with standards and they provide a key indicator of whether the organisation is on track to meet the new registration requirements."These declarations are an important piece of the jigsaw when it comes to building a picture of NHS performance. They tell us what trusts themselves think of their compliance with standards and they provide a key indicator of whether the organisation is on track to meet the new registration requirements.
"The NHS has delivered steady improvements in compliance and that should be commended. But it remains concerning that all trusts aren't meeting core standards on safety and quality, five years after they were introduced."The NHS has delivered steady improvements in compliance and that should be commended. But it remains concerning that all trusts aren't meeting core standards on safety and quality, five years after they were introduced.
"I urge those trusts affected to raise their game in the areas identified and get compliant over the next few months. We will not hesitate to place conditions upon trusts' registration, as part of our new statutory powers.""I urge those trusts affected to raise their game in the areas identified and get compliant over the next few months. We will not hesitate to place conditions upon trusts' registration, as part of our new statutory powers."
Every declaration, she added, would be checked carefully.Every declaration, she added, would be checked carefully.
The NHS Confederation said: "Anyone reading all of this report cannot fail to come to the conclusion that there is a great deal that is improving in the NHS. However there is still considerable room for improvement and the service recognises that.The NHS Confederation said: "Anyone reading all of this report cannot fail to come to the conclusion that there is a great deal that is improving in the NHS. However there is still considerable room for improvement and the service recognises that.
"There has been a particular focus in recent years on areas like child protection and employment checks. It is disappointing to see standards are not improving but it should be pointed out that in these cases trusts are both being expected to deliver more and are asking more of themselves.""There has been a particular focus in recent years on areas like child protection and employment checks. It is disappointing to see standards are not improving but it should be pointed out that in these cases trusts are both being expected to deliver more and are asking more of themselves."
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "We welcome this year's findings, which show overall improvements in compliance. We are particularly pleased that trusts have reported the most improvement on infection control.A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "We welcome this year's findings, which show overall improvements in compliance. We are particularly pleased that trusts have reported the most improvement on infection control.
"It shows the priority this is being given by the NHS, and that the substantial funding and measures we have introduced to support Trusts - including stringent hand-washing guidance and an ongoing deep clean of every ward - are having an impact.""It shows the priority this is being given by the NHS, and that the substantial funding and measures we have introduced to support Trusts - including stringent hand-washing guidance and an ongoing deep clean of every ward - are having an impact."