A report by the CQC has raised concerns over discharging patients at Lincoln County Hospital, despite improving other elements of its care.
The Care Quality Commission revisited the hospital this month after a previous report indicated care for patients and staff needed immediate improvements.
ULHT, the body which manages care within the hospitals, vowed to improve conditions.
This month inspectors from the CQC found the main issue facing patients was lack of coordination around discharging.
Inspectors were informed of one patient being discharged to a care home with no medication, or information about the medication they had prior to the discharge.
The family of another elderly patient felt discharge in the hospital was “unsafe” because they had not been involved in decisions and had been “poorly planned”.
Overall, a number of patients were at risk from delays and uncoordinated care and support when they are discharged.
However, the CQC also found examples of improvements throughout the hospital.
Staffing levels have improved, patient records were more organised and patients were protected from most risks.
New and refurbished wards are also bright, well decorated and spacious, the report found.
Inspectors did not find that areas in the maternity ward posed potential risks to patients due to undergoing refurbishment, but patients noted that it was not having an impact on the levels of their care.
ULHT now has 14 days to respond to the report and set out how they will act to improve areas of concern.
In a statement, ULHT said: “We are pleased that the latest report for Lincoln County Hospital reflects progress made, particularly around assessing and monitoring the quality of services.
“The report highlights the success of the Trust’s ‘Safety and Quality Dashboard’ which was launched across the Trust in December and provides information about standards of care for ward staff every month.
“We recognise there is still more to be done, particularly around cooperating with other providers and we are working continuously to address issues raised.”
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney commented: “I welcome this report and I, along with the CQC, recognise the progress Lincoln County Hospital has made, particularly around assessing and monitoring the quality of service provision.
“The report describes an increase in activities and systems to manage and reduce risks to patients and reflects the success of the safety and quality dashboards that were launched across the Trust in December.
“In addition to the CQC’s report, my recent visits to the hospital have assured me that the Trust remains fully committed to addressing all the issues raised and that they are working very hard to identify where improvements can be made.”
To access the full report of the May 2012 inspection, visit the CQC website.
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England will enter the next stage of its roadmap out of coronavirus lockdown on Monday, meaning non-essential retail and gyms can reopen, as well as pubs, bars and restaurants for outdoor service only.
The rules will come into play on Monday, April 12, allowing for the retail sector to open its doors for customers once again, less than two weeks after the latest lockdown easing on March 29, which meant outdoor socialising was allowed for up to six people.
Hospitality venues will be able to reopen as well, but only for outdoor service, with a full reopening planned for May 17 if COVID-19 cases continue to stay low and the vaccination programme keeps its course.
The rule of six does still remain for outdoor socialising, and people are still being asked not to meet indoors with anyone they don’t live with, unless they are part of a support bubble or legally exempt.
People are also still being asked to keep travel down to a minimum, though since March 29 it is no longer a legal requirement to stay local or at home.
The full list of new rules are:
Hairdressers and nail salons can reopen
Public buildings such as libraries and community centres can reopen
Non-essential retail (clothes shops etc) will be able to return to business
Self-contained accommodation will be able to reopen for overnight stays with your household or support bubble
Weddings, wakes and other commemorative events will be allowed up to 15 people, including inside, but wedding receptions must be outdoors
All childcare and supervised activities will be allowed indoors and outdoors for all children, this is also the case for parent and child groups
Most outdoor attractions (zoos, theme parks, drive-in performances) will be able to reopen
Care home residents will be able to have two named individuals for regular indoor visits (so long as they have a negative lateral flow test)
Lincolnshire Police’s assistant chief constable, Kerrin Wilson, said: “Lockdown has hit practically every aspect of life as we know it, and perhaps the hardest part has been not being able to connect with family and friends in person.
“The easing of restrictions will come as a great relief to many, and I hope the new rules, which afford us the chance to socialise safely as well as get back to doing some of the things we all took for granted, will contribute to a feeling of wellbeing for us all.
“While many of you will already be busy making plans, some of you may feel a sense of nervousness or worry about society opening back up, and we want to assure you that we are still here to protect you and enforce the rules when needed.
“The easing of restrictions does not mean that lockdown has lifted completely. It is a journey that we are all on, and to enable later restrictions to be lifted in June we must all do our bit to continue to follow the rules now.
Legal limits on the number of people allowed to gather at one time remain in place, social distancing must be maintained, and masks worn in public settings such as shops or public transport to keep yourself and everyone else safe. Let’s continue to be sensible and watch out for each other.”
Meanwhile, to help with keeping cases low, free rapid asymptomatic tests can be ordered at home. Here are the details.
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