Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital braces itself for fresh inspection

The last time the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected the Wednesfield-based hospital, it ordered chiefs to hire more nurses and said its elderly care ward was understaffed.

Patients will be invited to have their say on the quality of the hospital's services before the June visit.

Chief executive David Loughton welcomed the inspection.

Two years ago the CQC expressed concerns that older peoples care, surgical and dementia wards were understaffed, particularly at night where there was one registered nurse for every 10 patients.

This time inspectors will look at the hospital's under-pressure A&E unit, surgery, intensive care, maternity, paediatrics, outpatients, end-of-life care and medical care.

Cannock Chase Hospital, which New Cross chiefs took over the running of earlier this year, will also be inspected as part of the visit.

Mr Loughton said of the inspection: "We welcome the announcement and urge our patients and their families to tell the inspectors how they view our services at the listening events.

"As a major hospital centre with increasing demand on areas like urgent care we face many challenges. We are meeting these challenges by investing in new facilities and in working hard to offer the best care we possibly can in our hospitals and in the community.

"New Cross and Cannock Chase Hospitals are dynamic, changing places which are undoubtedly improving the services we offer.

"Our patients and staff are our top priority and we will aim to show the inspectors how providing the very best care is at the heart of everything we do."

The inspection will start on June 2.

As part of the process two public events will be held where patients can give their views on services. The first will be held next Tuesday at The Mount Hotel in Tettenhall at 6.30pm. The second is at St Luke's Church & Community Centre in Cannock, again at 6.30pm, next Wednesday.

The CQC announced last year it would lead significantly larger inspection teams than before, headed up by clinical and other experts including trained members of the public.

England's Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Professor Sir Mike Richards, said: "Of course we will be talking to doctors and nurses, hospital managers and patients at the trust.

"But it is vital that we also hear the views of the people who have received care at the trust, or anyone who wants to share information with us.

"This will help us plan our inspection, and so help us focus on the things that really matter to people who depend on this service."