News story

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole taken out of special measures

Patients in northern Lincolnshire and Goole have seen significant improvement in their local hospitals following action taken by the health sector regulator, Monitor.

The improvements have led to Monitor removing the trust from special measures, although it will continue to receive support so that it can build on recent improvements and ensure they last.

Monitor’s decision follows a recommendation from the Chief Inspector of Hospitals. His report highlighted significant improvements at Goole and District Hospital and rated it good. The Diana Princess of Wales and Scunthorpe General Hospitals were, however, rated as requiring improvement.

Since entering special measures, the trust has made a number of improvements, including recruiting 198 more clinical staff. Maternity services have also been performing well, with the maternity service at Scunthorpe General Hospital winning a national award.

Monitor has decided the trust no longer needs a dedicated Improvement Director to help turn around its performance, and is not required to publish any further progress on its recovery plan on the NHS Choices website. However, the trust will continue to receive support from other NHS organisations to provide expert advice and support to ensure that improvements continue.

Frances Shattock, Regional Director for Monitor, said:

“Staff at the trust have worked hard to deliver the improvements and our decision reflects the impact of their efforts and the support that Monitor and other NHS organisations have offered.

“It is good news that the trust has taken the action required to enable it to be taken out of special measures. There are still improvements which it needs to make, and we will continue to hold the trust to account to ensure that it takes the action required.”

Published 17 July 2014