NHS Tameside and Glossop, the local Primary Care Trust, today welcomed the response from NHS North West, the Care Quality Commission, and Monitor that a series of reviews will now start to explore patient’s concerns about service delivery and governance arrangements at Tameside Hospital.

The Care Quality Commission will be looking closely at the quality of patient care as part of the Trust’s registration process. Specifically CQC will scrutinise the trust’s registration application against the information it holds, including from previous inspections, mortality rates and surveys of patients and staff. CQC will also request additional evidence in areas where it is seeking greater reassurance. It will also meet with Tameside Hospital Action Group and the Local Involvement Network (LINk) and will examine written evidence from the council’s overview and scrutiny committee. Their review may also include possible spot-checks on clinical areas, where there is evidence of concern

Alongside this, Monitor and Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have jointly agreed to an independent review of governance at the Trust. This review will look in detail at how effectively the Board of the Trust operates, analysing whether the Board has the right skills and processes to identify and address potential issues across all aspects of the Trust’s performance, from patient care and quality to strategy and finance.  

As part of this process, the Strategic Health Authority will work with the PCT  to assess commissioning arrangements between the PCT and the hospital, this will review existing contractual arrangements and ensure that everything possible is underway to improve the quality of services and experience of patients, and that Tameside Hospital are fulfilling their contractual obligations.  

Dr Tim Riley Chief Executive of NHS Tameside and Glossop said : 

We have been in discussion with NHS NW and Monitor and are pleased that the review is to go ahead.

The people of Tameside and Glossop want to be confident in their local hospital and working with NHS NW we will be jointly looking at how this can be achieved.” 

David Heyes MP:

“I am pleased that local representatives and our own PCT have been heard by the SHA and the health and hospital watch dogs, the Care Quality Commission and Monitor.  I hope that the hospital will recognize the strength of public concerns and act quickly to rebuild trust and confidence in their management.”

James Purnell MP: 

I am delighted that the SHA, Monitor and CQC have responded to questions raised by myself, the population, their elected representations and the PCT.  My hope is that the Governors of the hospital take much needed action to restore public trust and confidence.”

Andrew Gwynne MP:  

“The hospital has been at the centre of local people’s concerns for a number of years. I look forward to this review working with MPs and local people.”

John Hallsworth, Vice Chair to NHS Tameside and Glossop: 

“The review is welcome.  NHS Tameside and Glossop has pushed for just such a review and will be pleased with any changes that improve the situation.”