Welcome to the Trust's second quality accounts. This report outlines the Trust's approach to quality improvement, progress made in 2010-11 and plans for the future.
The Trust has five key values which underpin everything we do as an organisation. They are:
- Put the patient first;
- Work as one team;
- Respect each other;
- Strive for continual improvement;
- Respect environmental sustainability.
The experience that patients have in our hospitals is of the utmost importance. As well as being treated quickly and safely, they must receive a personalised service, enhanced by good communication and a commitment to ensuring their privacy and dignity are respected at all times.
During 2010-11, we made a raft of improvements to ensure patients in our hospitals receive the best possible care. We spent £9.6 million across our hospitals on projects to improve the experience that patients have with us, including a £2.5 million overhaul of day surgery at Epsom Hospital, a £760,000 investment into stroke services on the site and a brand new £1 million operating theatre in the Elective Orthopaedic Centre.
At St Helier, investments included a £1.4 million boost for our endoscopy team, bringing in new equipment and increasing the numbers of staff. The coalition Government also re-approved the redevelopment of the hospital, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon George Osborne, confirming the £219 million funding in October's comprehensive spending review. It is the biggest investment in healthcare in Sutton and Merton for a generation.
During the year, we have also started to be more open and transparent with the things that matter to our patients and local people:
our performance, the
number of healthcare associated infections we have, and
how we spend our money, are published regularly on our website.
This report demonstrates that the experience patients have in our hospitals, the quality of the care they receive, and the safety of the service we provide are top priorities for us.
In addition, it shows how our values, combined with our priorities, are improving the way in which we treat our patients. For example, we have consistently reduced mortality rates in our hospitals for the last ten years to the point that our rates are nowsignificantly lower than the national average.
Furthermore, we continue to work hard to reduce the number of healthcare associated infections we have in our hospitals, with a cut of 75% in our MRSA (bacteraemia) rates since 2004.
As a Trust, we will continue to do all we possibly can to ensure our patients receive the very best care.
