• The Care Quality Commission publishes a Driving Improvement report
• The report explores the journey of eight trusts who have made significant improvements to quality of care and their CQC rating
• We say it is a testament to the trusts and their staff that some have improved by two rating levels despite mounting pressures

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published Driving Improvement: case studies from eight NHS trusts which highlight the significant improvements made to improve quality of care and their CQC rating.

The report highlights how engaging and empowering staff has been critical in driving up quality, and how they have adapted their culture and placed emphasis on the visibility of senior staff. Some of the trusts have also changed their approach to quality improvement and the report highlights some of these initiatives.

Commenting on the Driving Improvement report by the CQC, head of policy at NHS Providers, Amber Davenport said:

“This report reflects the fantastic work and the improvements made by trusts across the country, despite the mounting pressure that they face.  

“It is a testament to the commitment of trusts and their staff to deliver the safest and highest quality care for patients that some have improved by two rating levels.

While it is right that we celebrate the success stories, the report also highlights the funding, demand and workforce challenges facing their improvement efforts.

“Although each success story is different, there are clear lessons which can be learnt from these their experiences. These include having a strong and visible leadership team, a positive culture and putting patients at the heart of improvements. It is vital that trusts can share and learn from these experiences to help drive change.

“While it is right that we celebrate the success stories, the report also highlights the funding, demand and workforce challenges facing their improvement efforts. We must urgently address these pressures to ensure the NHS has the resources it needs to continue to improve quality of care.”

The eight trusts referenced in the report are:

• University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
• East Lancashire Hospital NHS Trust
• Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Wexham Park Hospital
• University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
• Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust