Our Chief Nurse Ellen Armistead - in photo - started Day 2 with an insider's view into "the dark side"  - aka the CQC.

Before she joined our Trust, Ellen was a CQC Deputy Chief Inspector and she adopted the 1960s TV show "How" as her theme.

She wanted to explain "How" the CQC go about its work and how a Trust could be ready for an inspection both announced and unannounced.

We have our own special CQC section on the CHFT intranet under Non-Clinical which explains all about a visit and the type of questions will be asked. Click here.  

Ellen said three qualities made a Trust "Outstanding" - 1) governance processes being spot-on, 2) clinical excellence in all areas and 3) genuinely being caring.

She said talking up the good stuff positively was key but also warned there can be a temptation to over-prepare and told how a gardener at one Trust said he had been "hoovering" the grassy areas to make it look spic and span for the inspectors.  

With a CQC inspection expected at CHFT at some point, she said: "In terms of care I can't see why we aren't outstanding. People here are very polite and very professional and always ask if they can help me when I am out and about. I must have a face that always looks lost! 

She added: "There is a lot of good here and also a lot of modesty. Let's be positive about the good."

TV shows were again the theme on day 2 with a stunning Bake Off competition - see photo montage -  at the lunch break and themed workshops around Dragons Den and the X-Factor. Our Paul and Prue. Jason Bushby and Alison Wilson judged them and the winners were Lucy Thompson with an amazing MRI scanner-shaped cake. (see attached) 

There were workshops for 1.Workforce wellbeing

2.Succession Planning

3.Maximising out of Hospital services

4.The weekend Hospital

5.Authentic Speech/Inclusion

An informed workforce