Medical Director Dr David Birkenhead welcomed a new intake of doctors yesterday (Wednesday 3 February) - explaining some of the key issues facing our Trust. All doctors attending started at CHFT yesterday. Many are GP trainees rotating into organisation but there are also core trainees in hospital specialties as well.

Dr Birkenhead highlighted: 

CQC visit -   Be prepared, Be involved and Be informed was the message A copy of the staff handbook can be found here - it's a really useful information guide for colleagues about what they can expect to happen.

Accurate record keeping - The CQC picked up last time they came that our record keeping could be better so they're likely to look in depth at this when they come in from March 8. Dr Birkenhead asked colleagues to make sure they document at the time the decisions, investigations and examinations they made.  They need to be dated, timed, signed. Print your name and contact and a second identifier such as your GMC number. 

Right care, time, place - To make colleagues aware that there will likely be much attention on our Trust in the coming weeks surrounding the CCGs' proposals to move to an unplanned care site (at CRH) and a planned care site (HRI) 

Hospital-Acquired Infections - With a focus on making sure Infection Control standards are met. Dr Birkenhead said "It's everyone’s responsibility to make sure we all comply. If you observe poor practice amongst colleagues, cleaning staff or nursing colleagues please challenge them and remind them what they should be doing".

End of Life Care and DNACPR forms - Dr Birkenhead said: " We cannot have forms with missing boxes" Each and every field needs completing including the review date. It’s improving but it's still a challenge.

Mortality rates (SHMI and HSMR) - Incorrect coding may be having an impact on our mortality rates - which are measured by looking at observed rates against expected rates. If we go above 100 then we are classed as high. It's not all down to record keeping but these figures can impact the reputation of our Trust.