We're OUTSTANDING for a second time!

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust has been rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for a second time. This makes the hospital the only specialist neuroscience trust in the country to get the rating twice in a row.

The CQC released their latest report today, praising the Trust for its positive staff culture, use of cutting edge technology and new medical innovations.

Chief Executive Hayley Citrine said: “This rating is because of each and every staff member here at The Walton Centre. We welcomed the inspection team earlier this year and used their visit as an opportunity to show them all the fantastic things our staff do to provide a high standard of care for patients and their families.

“They praised the strong culture in supporting staff health and wellbeing, which is crucial when dealing with complex conditions we see in the hospital every day.

“They also noted the high level of innovation, which again feeds into our culture and that we are one of only two Trusts in the country to introduce a clinical lead in this area.

“There aren’t enough words to describe how proud I am of our staff and their ability to deliver fantastic care every day – it’s simply outstanding!”

The report described the Trust as ‘the first hospital in the north’ using Intra-operative MRI scanning when treating adult patients. Surgeons use the technology during an operation, reducing the need for patients to return to surgery, an innovation funded by the Marina Dalglish Appeal in 2017.

The report also noted the Trust’s had an atmosphere where ‘candour, openness, honesty and transparency were the norm’. 

The first ‘Outstanding’ rating was received in 2016 following a full inspection of the Trust’s services. This time a team of CQC Inspectors visited the Trust in March and April 2019 to assess surgery and critical care services, and to inspect whether the Trust was ‘well-led’ overall.

The full report and ratings will be CQC’s website here.