Inspection concerns on Antrim hospital

In October last year, a team of inspectors from the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) visited Antrim Area Hospital noted “a number of areas of concern,” although overall they found staff “caring, sensitive and insightful”.

RQIA’s acting chief executive Dr David Stewart said the ED at Antrim was particularly busy when his inspectors arrived. He said they considered the number of nurses was not always sufficient for the number of patients being treated, and that procedures to ensure a smooth flow of patients through the department during busy periods did not work as well as they should.

The team also examined a medical ward and a surgical ward during the three-day inspection, speaking to patients, relatives and staff, observing how care was being delivered and examining care records.

Announcing the publication of the RQIA inspection report, Dr Stewart said: “The 20 member inspection team included lay assessors and medical, nursing, pharmacy and allied health professional peer reviewers.

“In each area inspected, we noted caring, sensitive and insightful staff, who anticipated the care needs of their patients. In the medical and surgical wards, we commended strong leadership, and an open and transparent culture in respect of incident and complaints management.

“However, we highlighted a number of issues in relation to variations in practice in infection prevention and control and record keeping.”

Dr Stewart added: “RQIA has recommended improvements in areas including management of medications; patient documentation; and the provision of meals for patients in ED.”

The Northern Health Trust now has four weeks to explain how it is addressing the recommendations made by the RQIA. Further inspection reports on other acute hospitals will be published in the coming weeks.

Director of nursing for the Northern Trust, Olive MacLeod, said: “We have taken this review seriously and have an action plan in place following the initial feedback in October. The areas highlighted in the initial feedback had already been identified by the Trust and work was underway to address these.”

Ms MacLeod added: “We have very capable and dedicated staff and it is understandable that they feel challenged by the high attendances we have witnessed. However, we are satisfied that the correct procedures are in place to prioritise clinical need and ensure patient safety, even in times of high pressure.”