Durham and Darlington Hospital Emergency Departments Praised by Inspectors

Durham: The A&E departments at two hospitals in the North East are getting some well-deserved praise. Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that concerns about safety were unfounded.

The University Hospital of North Durham improved its rating to “good,” while Darlington Memorial Hospital maintained its good status. The inspections were prompted by worries about safety incidents and long waiting times. But when the inspectors visited, they found everything was in order.

A senior doctor from the County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust expressed happiness about the progress. However, they acknowledged that services are under a lot of pressure, just like many places in the UK.

At the University Hospital of North Durham, the A&E department is meeting the diverse needs of the community. Staff are committed to improving patient safety, which is great to hear.

Victoria Marsden, the CQC’s deputy director, noted a positive culture where staff prioritize patient care. At Darlington Memorial, patients reported excellent care, and staff adjusted their numbers during busy times to keep wait times down.

At both hospitals, patients were greeted by friendly staff and didn’t wait long to be seen. They also took good care of elderly patients who needed help until transport arrived.

The staff worked well with external services to meet patients’ needs. They felt supported by their leaders and were happy in their roles.

Ms. Marsden mentioned that the CQC would keep monitoring the services to ensure they maintain high standards. Dr. Shafie Kamarrudin, a consultant, expressed pride in the improved ratings, crediting the hard work of the teams.

While they celebrate this success, they also recognize the ongoing pressures from increased demand. The NHS is currently facing a “quad-demic” with high levels of flu, RSV, norovirus, and Covid-19.

In December alone, the County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust saw nearly 13,000 A&E visits. Most patients were seen quickly, but some had to wait longer for a hospital bed.

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